ICYMI: Why relocate Oakville's Central Library after almost 60 years?

For over 57 years, Oakville Public Library’s (OPL) central department has been a fixture at 120 Navy Road. Quickly, with plans to relocate the library as a key a part of the city’s future, what does this modification imply for the group?

EDITORS NOTE: This text initially appeared on Oakville Information on Sept. 10.

Since 1967, Oakville Public Library’s (OPL) central department has stood at 120 Navy Road. After greater than 57 years, it is going to quickly have a brand new dwelling simply two blocks to its east at 193 Church Road.

Learn extra right here: Oakville Public Library to relocate Central Department

The relocation has raised many questions for residents together with what this modification will seem like and why it’s a necessity.

Oakville Information reporters had the chance to talk with OPL CEO Tara Wong who offered perception into the relocation.

Why relocate as an alternative of renovate?

Wong stated there are three most important causes behind the central department relocation, however at its core, the change is in movement now as a result of the constructing on Navy Road has “reached its finish of life.”

“The associated fee to run it will increase yearly,” Wong stated. “We’ve ongoing HVAC points, flooding points, sewer back-up points, the elevator is steadily a difficulty, however what you’d anticipate from a constructing, and in addition as a result of it was flagged as being both renovated or moved, clearly these prices to take care of had been contained.”

The second concern Wong outlined pertains to accessibility.

Since all OPL branches, besides White Oaks and Clearview, are owned and operated by the city of Oakville, Wong says the city performed a full accessibility assessment of the central department about two years in the past.

It was famous that renovating the constructing to fulfill present accessibility requirements would considerably improve the general renovation prices.

The third most important issue, which Wong says is most essential to them, is that if OPL renovated their central department, they’d be closed for 2 to a few years.

“That will be a big problem for us to have the ability to present service to this group,” Wong stated.

“Particularly because the central department, there are distinctive options right here which might be out there to all residents of Oakville, and having to determine a strategy to arrange small hubs of areas or be capable to present these companies over an prolonged time period was an actual problem.”

Why Church Road?

Wong famous that one of many greatest advantages of OPL relocating to Church Road is that the transition must be “comparatively seamless.”

The stroll to the brand new central department, what was as soon as a submit workplace, is barely 5 minutes away and it is one thing that is been on the radar for some time.

“There’s been quite a lot of research undergone by the city to have a look at each the fee and feasibility of renovating this area (120 Navy Road) but additionally what different areas can be found within the city that may be a very good match, submit workplace clearly was high of that listing,” Wong stated.

The choice to relocate central department was authorized by council in September 2023. 193 Church Road was recognized as the best location and the transition is slated for 2028.

193 Church Road, the longer term web site of the brand new Oakville Public Library Central Department. Ben Brown/Oakville Information

In keeping with OPL’s web site, the brand new location “guarantees a contemporary, accessible, and sustainable facility that can proceed our legacy of fostering discovery and creativity in each section of life.”

Underground parking was additionally one thing that was being thought-about within the preliminary proposal.

How a lot will it price?

The preliminary suggestion was that the 2024 funds embrace $6 million for the Downtown Cultural Hub (DCH) mission, with $4.2 million allotted for the programming and detailed design of the brand new Central Library.

The city’s official funds for the DCH is $5.4 million, nonetheless, it’s unclear precisely how a lot of that can help the relocation of central department.

In keeping with the city, no price is obvious but because the mission is presently within the preliminary design section.

“Employees plan to carry public session this fall to assemble enter and assist form design ideas. As soon as detailed design is finalized, which is anticipated to be subsequent summer time, a Class B estimate shall be ready and offered to City Council for approval,” city employees instructed Oakville Information.

“Funding for the mission is predicted to come back from the city’s capital reserves and, ideally, supplemented with authorities grants.”

What is going to occur to the present property at 120 Navy Road?

Wong couldn’t converse to precisely what is going to occur with the present property however she did word that the city shall be doing research of the property to know what kind of buildings may very well be greatest suited to that area.

The city may even be evaluating the positioning at Centennial Sq. for a doable boutique resort and extra residential improvement.

Learn extra: A resort or condominium on Centennial Sq.?

In keeping with city employees, “A complete plan for the Centennial Sq. web site shall be initiated beginning in early 2025. A public session program shall be developed and accomplished with suggestions for Council consideration in early 2027.”

The city notes {that a} design and building plan shall be “an essential output” of that course of.

Mentioned Wong, “One of many different causes that they are taking a look at transferring us is that earlier than we will renovate this area, there’s quite a lot of research that need to be accomplished on this land.”

The present central department on Navy Road neighbours Oakville Galleries and the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts. A part of the advice to council was trying into the feasibility of a new performing arts centre however nothing is suggesting that growth into the present central department will happen.

What is going to the CEO of Oakville Public Library miss most about Navy Road?

Wong has been at OPL for 10 years, in that point, she’s developed a robust reference to the group and the individuals OPL serves each day, particularly at central department.

She hopes to recreate a few of the issues she loves concerning the present central department on the new location, all whereas making an attempt to make an excellent higher expertise for the general public.

“Each department has their very own vibe,” Wong stated. “I do actually respect the combo that occurs right here at central. To 1 facet of us, we’re within the downtown core, very prosperous, however on the similar time we additionally serve homeless populations and seeing these very determined populations in the identical area is basically attention-grabbing and having the ability to have these conversations about what the aim of a public library is.”

“Seeing people who find themselves extra economically properly off nonetheless appreciating the companies that the library has in addition to these individuals on the opposite finish of the spectrum the place it is extra of a necessity than a need, however having them each perceive the position that the general public library can play of their lives,” she continued.

Wong additionally says that she loves the child’s ground saying there’s “nothing higher than a child’s area” at a public library. This was apparently one thing that was persistently introduced up when talks of transferring areas started and Wong says will probably be a most important characteristic of the brand new location.