New Boat School Opens on Halifax Waterfront
NOTE: More photos of the new Boat School are available at: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2026/05/21/launch-new-boat-school
The new Boat School at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is creating more opportunities for young Nova Scotians to learn valuable skills and connect with the province’s rich maritime heritage.
Located on the Halifax waterfront, Boat School offers hands-on boatbuilding programs and on-the-water experiences to underserved youth.
“Boat School supports young Nova Scotians as they build skills, confidence and a sense of belonging,” said Dave Ritcey, Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage. “It creates a welcoming space for the kind of inclusive, experiential learning that can open new pathways and make a lasting difference.”
The new facility will allow the museum to meet growing demand for the programs, which have been delivered from small sheds for the past decade. Programming opportunities will be announced soon.
Boat School was designed with climate-resilient features to withstand hurricanes and sea-level rise. It includes energy-efficient systems and meets Canada Green Building Council standards.
The $15-million project, which also includes upgrades to the wharf and pier, received $7 million from the Province; more than $3.2 million from the federal government; and $4.6 million for construction and program delivery from donors to the Canadian Maritime Heritage Foundation, including $2.5 million from Irving Shipbuilding, Inc.
Construction was managed by Build Nova Scotia with support from the Department of Public Works.
Irving Shipbuilding’s five-year, $2.5-million investment supports the creation of essential infrastructure and operations for Boat School, including the building, small boat marina, and programming.
Quotes:
“The new Boat School is a wonderful addition to the Halifax waterfront. Built with climate resiliency in mind, it will create meaningful opportunities for youth from diverse backgrounds. Through workshops and programming, participants will develop boatbuilding and sailing skills in an accessible and inclusive environment.”
— Shannon Miedema, MP for Halifax, on behalf of Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure
“The opening of Boat School at the Maritime Museum is the realization of a years-long dream that couldn’t have happened without the vision of museum staff, the dedication of our fundraisers and the generosity of our donors. It will make a positive difference in the lives of young Nova Scotians for years to come.”
— John Hennigar Shuh, President, Canadian Maritime Heritage Foundation
“The new Boat School represents a meaningful investment in the future of Nova Scotia’s marine sector. The Boat School will have a positive impact on the lives of Nova Scotia’s youth while strengthening connections to our maritime heritage. Irving Shipbuilding is proud to support the Canadian Maritime Heritage Foundation in delivering this important initiative and advancing a sustainable and inclusive industry.”
— Dirk Lesko, President, Irving Shipbuilding, Inc.
“Boat School is conceived as both a working craft facility and a defining waterfront landmark. Through scale and transparency, it establishes a strong presence along the Halifax harbourfront while opening the boatbuilding process to the public realm. At 240 square metres, the open-plan workshop embeds sustainability and accessibility as core principles, positioning it as a resilient, community-focused extension of maritime culture.”
— Rayleen Hill, owner and principal architect, RHAD Architects
Quick Facts:
- the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is part of the Nova Scotia Museum family
- Boat School contracts the Nova Scotia Sea School to help deliver on-the-water experiences and other collaborative programming for youth
- the Boat School campus is an important part of the Maritime Heritage District, which also includes a marina, the original museum boat sheds, CSS Acadia and the museum wharves
- Boat School partners with community organizations, especially those which support underserved youth
Additional Resources:
Boat School website: https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/boat-school
Boat School video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4bQ7V2Iug4
News release – Province Invests in New Boat School at Maritime Museum of the Atlantic: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/06/20/province-invests-new-boat-school-maritime-museum-atlantic
Federal news release – Government of Canada invests in new Boat School at Maritime Museum of the Atlantic: https://www.canada.ca/en/housing-infrastructure-communities/news/2025/06/government-of-canada-invests-in-new-boat-school-at-maritime-museum-of-the-atlantic.html
Donors to the Canadian Maritime Heritage Foundation: https://canadianmaritimeheritage.ca/our-donors
Maritime Museum of the Atlantic: https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/