Centre Block on pace to reopen in 2032, include new public area under Parliament Hill

A massive overhaul of Centre Block on Parliament Hill is expected to be completed by 2031 and open to the public by 2032.

A massive overhaul of Centre Block on Parliament Hill is expected to be completed by 2031 and open to the public by 2032.

Rob Wright, an assistant deputy minister at Public Services and Procurement Canada, says structural strengthening and heritage restoration is currently underway.

A new three-level welcome centre is being built underneath the building and around the core of the Peace Tower.

Wright says crews are digging 23 metres deep to clear space for the 32,000-square-metre centre.

The new public entrance will be designed with two accessible pathways leading from the eternal flame and courtyard in front of Centre Block to the welcome centre's main floor, its security checkpoints and elevators.

The lowest level of the centre is expected to feature museum-esque exhibits, a multimedia theatre and on-site classrooms to educate visitors about Parliament.

Wright told reporters during a tour of the ongoing renovations on Thursday that getting parliamentarians themselves involved in that outreach to the public is a priority.