IN DEPTH: Why relocate Oakville's Central Library after nearly 60 years?

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

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

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

The relocation has raised many questions for residents together with what this variation will appear to be and why it’s a necessity.

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

Why relocate as a substitute of renovate?

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

“The associated fee to run it will increase yearly,” Wong stated. “We now have ongoing HVAC points, flooding points, sewer back-up points, the elevator is ceaselessly a problem, however what you’d count on 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 have been contained.”

The second challenge 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 overview of the central department about two years in the past.

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

The third fundamental 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 approach to arrange small hubs of areas or be capable of present these companies over an prolonged time frame was an actual problem.”

Why Church Avenue?

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

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

“There’s been plenty of research undergone by the city to take a look at each the associated fee and feasibility of renovating this area (120 Navy Avenue) but in addition what different areas can be found within the city that might be a very good match, publish workplace clearly was high of that record,” Wong stated.

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

193 Church Avenue, the longer term website of the brand new Oakville Public Library Central Department. Ben Brown/Oakville Information

In response to 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 value?

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

The city’s official price range 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 response to the city, no value is obvious but because the challenge is at present within the preliminary design section.

“Workers plan to carry public session this fall to collect 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 can be ready and offered to City Council for approval,” city workers informed Oakville Information.

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

What’s going to occur to the present property at 120 Navy Avenue?

Wong couldn’t communicate to precisely what’s going to occur with the present property however she did be aware that the city can be doing research of the property to know what sort of buildings may very well be finest fitted to that area.

The city may also be evaluating the location at Centennial Sq. for a attainable boutique lodge and extra residential growth.

Learn extra: A lodge or rental on Centennial Sq.?

In response to city workers, “A complete plan for the Centennial Sq. website can be initiated beginning in early 2025. A public session program can be developed and accomplished with suggestions for Council consideration in early 2027.”

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

Stated 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 plenty of research that need to be executed on this land.”

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

What’s going to the CEO of Oakville Public Library miss most about Navy Avenue?

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

She hopes to recreate a number of the issues she loves concerning the present central department on the new location, all whereas attempting to make a good higher expertise for the general public.

“Each department has their very own vibe,” Wong stated. “I do really recognize the combination that occurs right here at central. To 1 aspect of us, we’re within the downtown core, very prosperous, however on the identical time we additionally serve homeless populations and seeing these very determined populations in the identical area is actually fascinating 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 folks on the opposite finish of the spectrum the place it is extra of a necessity than a need, however having them each perceive the function that the general public library can play of their lives,” she continued.

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