Prince George's Exploration Place to increase its fees due to B.C. minimum wage hike

The Exploration Place Museum and Science Centre is raising its fees.

“As the minimum wage is being increased across British Columbia, The Exploration Place Museum and Science Centre is being impacted like all other businesses; because we are an independent charity the challenge we face is compounded,” says the Prince George organization in a news release.

Commonly known as Exploration Place, the museum notes it must raise in excess of $2,700 a day, above government grants, in order to make ends meet.

“No one ever likes to raise prices, that’s why there hasn’t been an increase like this since 2014 here at The Exploration Place,” said CEO Tracy Calogheros in the same release as the increases will take effect Feb. 3, 2020.

“In order to ensure our staff are paid a living wage, one that reflects their expertise and commitment, we simply have no choice, but to raise our fees and charges to reflect the current realities. We certainly hope that our visitors and members will understand and will continue to support us.”

The Exploration Place says it's gone through a re-organization, eliminated some positions where it was possible to find efficiencies and implementing the wage increases in 2020, which necessitates increases to fees and charges across the board.

For example, a Family Admission to the Museum will go from $25 to $32 and a Family Membership (including the reciprocal admission agreements to all other science centres) will go from $95 to $125.

“These changes will be visible on our website prior to Feb. 3, but if you are interested in renewing your membership, booking a facility rental or school program and you’d like to beat the increases, this is your chance.”

Increases to Fort George Explorers After School Care Program and the Early Explorers Preschool will not go into effect until September 2020, however, Science Alliance Summer Day Camps will see an increase for this coming summer.