IRVING SHIPBUILDING Boat School

The new Irving Shipbuilding Boat School at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic has officially opened.

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.

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

Read more here.

Announcement Photos here.

Summer 2025 Update:

The Province of Nova Scotia and Government of Canada (Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program) announced investments on June 20, 2025 in support of the project.

The facility will help the museum meet growing demand for the boatbuilding and watercraft programs it offers to underserved youth. For the past decade, these popular programs have been delivered in small boat sheds at the museum, which is part of the Nova Scotia Museum family.

Read more here.

Additional Resources:
List of private donors to the Canadian Maritime Heritage Foundation

Boat School webcam