The Glenbow Museum, still crippled by damage from COVID-19, announced the permanent layoff of 27 staff.
Staff were temporarily laid off in March, but continued to receive benefits and emergency support, the Glenbow said Thursday.
In April they offered a voluntary retirement package and in May a voluntary resignation package.
“It is disheartening,” said Nicholas Bell, Glenbow’s President and CEO, in a prepared release.
“Many of these colleagues are long-term employees at Glenbow, and the loss of their skills and institutional knowledge is a tremendous blow.”
Currently, the Glenbow museum has been able to recall 15 staff members from temporary layoff.
Permanently laid-off staff will receive severance packages based on tenure.
The museum is closed to the public, but they do have plans to re-open this summer. Plans to revitalize Glenbow’s building also remains on track.
“We are navigating a significant challenge,” said Bell.
“As we reopen Glenbow to the public this summer, we are adapting our operations in a manner that must position us for sustainability and future growth. Glenbow is undertaking a major restructuring to facilitate how the museum will operate going forward.”
