Milner reno gets $4-million assist
The federal and provincial governments each gave a $2-million boost Friday to the revitalization of the Stanley A. Milner Library.
The renovation at the downtown public library includes tripling the size of the children’s library, adding space to meeting and reading areas, and creating an interactive simulation wall for multimedia presentations. The $4 million is earmarked for construction on the library ’s lower level and sixth floor.
The project’s budget is now $84.5 million, up from the $69 million projected in 2017. The increase is partially due to structural problems uncovered during the renovation, said library chief executive Pilar Martinez. The problems were foreseen last fall, but a full assessment was not possible until the library demolition was complete.
“I think because (the building was built in 1967) and the drawings weren’t accurate, there were some things that we couldn’t uncover until the demolition,” Martinez said. Martinez added the Edmonton Public Library is “very confident” that $84.5 million is the library’s final budget.
The library closed in December 2016 for renovations and is expected to open in early 2020. In the meantime, a temporary location provides services from Enterprise Square.
The provincial government has contributed $18.2 million to the project, including the $2 million announced Friday.
Municipal Affairs Minister Shaye Anderson said the different services offered by the library will be important to the community.
“It’s not just a dark, dingy place where people get books,” he said. “There are so many different opportunities to use the internet to look for jobs ... and social services.”
The federal government’s $2-million contribution was given on the condition that it would be matched by the province. Federal Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi, Liberal MP for EdmontonMill Woods, who announced the funding, said he’s cared about libraries “since Day 1.”
“When I came to Canada, I could not speak English,” Sohi said. “One way for me to learn English was to be at the library and learn ... I was able to make a connection to the community.”
Other than accessing books, library users will be able to use a culinary learning space, a non-profit daycare and a makerspace where users can create on mediums such as audio and video. It will also feature a space for hosting Indigenous ceremonies.
The Edmonton Public Library has raised $80 million to cover project costs, including Friday’s $4-million contribution. It needs $4.5 million to reach its funding goal.
When came to Canada, I could not speak English. One way for me to learn English was to be at the library. AMARJEET SOHI, Liberal MP