For several years, an international Estonian center has been under construction in Toronto. The center is expected to be completed next year. Project leader Ellen Valter said that the difficult work has been done.
Ellen Valter said she has been working on the project for 11 years. The building was designed by architect Alar Kongats, who has Estonian roots. If you look at Google Maps, you can see that the shape of the building resembles the map of Estonia.
The center plans to have a concert hall, library, classrooms, office space, and a restaurant. Ellen Valter said the building is rising visibly. The large glass wall is expected to be installed in the fall. The glass was made in Spain and is currently waiting in Toronto.
The center's opening is planned for Midsummer Day next year. The project has been full of surprises, so the exact opening date is uncertain. The construction has cost nearly 50 million Canadian dollars.
The completion of the center is slower than planned. Currently, the budget is short by a few million euros. Ellen Valter said the market has changed and prices are unstable.
When the center finally opens, it will become the headquarters for Estonians abroad. It will be a place to showcase Estonian culture and business. Ellen Valter hopes the center will also host a government representation. The center is located in the heart of North America's largest city, which is a great place to introduce Estonia.