Feds commit $13M to Guelph library project
The City of Guelph has received a major boost in its construction of a new library building.
On March 25, the federal government announced it would provide $13.5 million to support the construction initiative.
“Libraries are the trademark of educated, equitable and democratic societies. Cities across Canada are turning to these inclusive building types to revitalize their downtowns, boost visitors, and enhance access to information and resources,” said Guelph MP Lloyd Longfield. “Guelph’s new central library will help contribute to a thriving community as a hub that will inspire residents to learn and explore for years to come.”
Planned to be 88,000 square feet, the new facility will transform the Baker Street municipal parking lot to replace the current central library, which opened in 1965. The new building will be larger, house a bigger collection, be more accessible, and include programming, gathering, and meeting spaces.
The broader Baker District redevelopment will also include mixed-use residential and commercial towers, public parking, and public squares.
The library is anticipated to be the first stand-alone library in Canada to achieve the Canada Green Building Council’s Zero Carbon Building – Design Standard certification, verifying that the new facility is designed to be carbon neutral.
“Achieving this certification is a huge win for Guelph. We are dedicated to leadership in climate action, as outlined in our Future Guelph Strategic Plan, and the innovative design approach to the new library is a shining example of this commitment,” said Scott Stewart, the city’s chief administrative officer. “We’re going to keep this momentum going forward and continue making significant strides towards becoming a more sustainable city.”
The federal investment comes from Infrastructure Canada and is administered through the Green and Inclusive Buildings (GICB) program. The program supports green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades of existing public community buildings and the construction of new publicly accessible community buildings with a goal to help Canada towards its net-zero objectives by 2050.
“The funding will help Guelph in building a new, state-of-the-art, fully accessible main library to replace the current library, which no longer meets the needs of the community,” said Mayor Cam Guthrie. “The funding will help us reduce capital costs while building a net-zero carbon facility, bringing Guelph closer to meeting our Race To Zero commitment to become a net zero carbon community by 2050.”
In addition to the federal investment, the City of Guelph is contributing more than $51.4 million to the project.
Melloul Blamey Construction broke ground on the library project last June. Work is expected to be completed in about three years.