Library renovations three months behind schedule
Construction at the Peter borough Public Library is on budget, so far – but it’s running three months behind schedule.
A $12-million renovation and expansion project is taking place at the library. It started in June 2016 and was expected to be done by September 2017.
But now it’s late. That means the library’s temporary location, in Peterborough Square, may remain open until sometime around Christmas.
The Peterborough Public Library is 36 years old and has never undergone renovations before.
A city staff report released Friday states that “challenges” have been encountered at the construction site.
For example, water has been welling up in the excavation sites – particularly as workers dug for an elevator shaft. That required “hydrovac” excavation, which removes water. Also, the foundations of the city’s old firehall, which once stood at the site, were discovered as excavation took place. Those foundations had to be removed, which took some time.
Meanwhile, the library will have a modern look when it’s done.
The plan is to give the building a front glass facade. The children’s department will be moved to the lower level, and there will be a new, grand staircase leading downstairs.
There will also be a bank of new bay windows along the Bethune St. side of the building.
Toronto architectural firm The Ventin Group has done the redesign. The library was originally designed by architect Ray Moriyama, who designed the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.
Crews also demolished the red brick office building next door to the library; the plan is to convert it into a parkette and accessible parking for the library.
On Monday, city councillors are expected to discuss plans to keep the temporary library for an extra three months at Peterborough Square. Don’t forget to check The Examiner’s website for livestreaming of the meeting, as well as tweets. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. NOTE: See more city council coverage on Pages A1, A3 and A5.