A new two-storey, 20,000 square foot library is coming to downtown Campbell River.
The new $14 million dollar branch will be constructed at the site of the current location at 1240 Shoppers Row.
The Victoria-based architectural firm, Low Hammond Rowe (LHR), will design the new
library.
VIRL has a successful history of working with LHR in the past on the design of
the Nanaimo North branch and the renovation of the Sidney/North Saanich branch.
VIRL and the City will host two shared public consultations events.
The first will gather feedback and ideas on the design and features of the library; the second will present
the proposed renderings and provide answers to outstanding questions.
More information, including dates, locations, and formats, will be provided as it becomes
available.
The budget of $14 million includes the cost of construction, furnishings, technology
infrastructure, and site preparation.
Funding was secured through a loan from the Municipal Finance Authority to the Strathcona Regional District, who will transfer the
borrowing proceeds to VIRL.
Because VIRL is a regional system with a pooled budget, the costs of the new library will be shared by member jurisdictions rather than paid for
by Campbell River taxpayers alone through their regional district contribution.
The City of Campbell River has committed to providing a no-cost lease to VIRL,
demolishing the existing facility, and to servicing the site with sewage, water, drainage, and CR Municipal Broadband service.
Later this year, a meeting between VIRL and the City of Campbell River will review the
processes and outline the next steps for the project, including a proposed location for
temporary library services during construction as well as the construction start date and
timeline.
For more information, click here.
