COLD LAKE - The Cold Lake Museums officially opened their doors for the 2025 season with a welcoming celebration over the May long weekend.
From May 16 to May 19, all four museums were open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring food trucks, a local art exhibit, and refreshed displays across the galleries.
Following the long weekend, the museums will resume regular hours, welcoming visitors Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To mark the season kickoff, food trucks such as The Pour Haus, and Sweet Rolls and Creamery were onsite for guests to enjoy.
“We also have an art show with the Cold Lake Visual Arts Society and all local artists showing in our room,” said Linda Dunn, heritage and Indigenous museum curator.
While there were no brand-new galleries this year, both Dunn and Air Force Museum curator Christian Keller stated there have been updates and improvements made throughout the museum complex.
“We're always improving. We don't have whole new galleries to look at, but we have improvements . . . whether it's painting or rearranging or adding new old artifacts new to us,” said Dunn.
Keller added, “We have switched out, at least on the Air Force side . . . some of our artifacts, we've added some new stuff as well.”
Returning visitors found updated signage and minor exhibit changes across the site. “Hopefully if you come this year, it'll be more fresh . . . We've updated the signage... and we're going to continue throughout the season to also improve some of the signage as well,” Keller noted.
A new exhibit originally planned for the season opener was delayed.
“We were hoping to have a new exhibit here at the museum, but unfortunately didn't pan out but maybe next year,” said Keller.
The exhibit was for a sports and fitness display, with administrative hurdles causing a postponement. “We were trying to have it be open for the public for our opening day. Unfortunately, it just didn't pan out.”
He added the museum is hoping to acquire a Musketeer training aircraft later in the summer and other initiatives are underway.
“We are working on developing [an area for] teaching young kids the theory of flight, like gliders and planes,” Keller explained. “[It’s] still in the early stages . . . but I am excited to start developing programming.”
This season marked Keller’s first time seeing the museum open to the public since starting in his role in October. “This is my first time seeing the museum actually open, so this is very exciting for me . . . I really hope we have a busy season."
Admission prices to the museum are $20 for a family, $8 for adults, $4 for children, and kids under four are free.
Seniors, veterans, and Canadian Forces members pay $6.50. For group tours, advance booking is encouraged.
"The museum does seem to be a tourist spot for Cold Lake in the area . . . museums are meant to be a way for the community to come, learn, and also just engage.”
The Cold Lake Museums complex includes the Air Force Museum, the Indigenous and Heritage Museum, Oil and Gas Museum, and Cold War Museum. Visitors were encouraged to explore the grounds, enjoy food and art, and provide feedback.
“I'm just excited to actually see the museum open with visitors,” he said. “That's what I'm mostly excited for – giving tours to the public.”
