$20-million library project
The Pierrefonds-Roxboro Library is about to get a massive makeover.
The City of Montreal announced last week it has awarded a $20.3-million contract for the construction of a new library building.
The project involves adding an extension as well as renovating the existing library, said PierrefondsRoxboro borough Mayor Jim Beis.
“It’s a reconstruction of the library,” he said. “A complete reconstruction.”
Beis said plans to rebuild the library have been in the works for years.
“What it means is that we’re going to be building a state-ofthe-art, 21st-century library for Pierrefonds-Roxboro, one that is going to serve the community and do more than just provide books. The libraries of today are points of assembly for the community.
“We’ll have meeting rooms, we’ll provide additional services, and multigenerational services and have a gathering spot where the community can grow around,” he added.
Beis said the new library, which will be built on the site of the present library, will be a major upgrade for both citizens and staffers
“In the old library, we didn’t have space available to offer anything. And it was too hot in the summer, too cold in the winter.”
“This will be state-of-the-art. It will look modern, and it will provide services unlike any library we’ve seen in the past — libraries just aren’t books anymore.”
Beis said 40 per cent of the project will be covered by the Programme de rénovation, d’agrandissement et de construction des bibliothèques (RAC) de la Direction associée des bibliothèques, through an agreement with the Cultural Development of the City of Montreal and the provincial Ministry of Culture and Communications. The city is funding the remaining 60 per cent, he added.
Along with plans for a new aquatic/recreation centre, Beis said the library will be located at the centre core of the borough on Pierrefonds Blvd., across from Pierrefonds Comprehensive High School.
“It’s our centre hub,” he said. “We’re looking at creating a public square around all of that. It also fits perfectly into our strategic plan to have this library and allow us to provide services for our population today but also for future generations.”
Beis said demolition work will begin within a month. When will the new library open? “It is slated to open at the end of summer or early fall of 2018,” Beis said.
“So the work will take a little over a year to complete.”
During the library’s closure due to renovations, the borough is asking library users to visit the Roxboro Public Library, the Eastern Community Centre or the Pierrefonds Cultural Centre to borrow books.