LeBreton Flats library costs done growing says Coun. Luloff
Posted Feb 12, 2023 05:00:00 PM.
The ballooning cost of the Ottawa Public Library's new central location in LeBreton Flats won't continue to rise, according to Councillor and Ottawa Library Board chair Matthew Luloff.
A combined project housing both the Ottawa Public Library (OPL) main branch and Library and Archives Canada was first budgeted at $192 million. Soaring construction costs since the budget was authorized in 2018 have pushed the final price tag up 73 per cent, with the winning bid from construction company PCL coming in at more than $334 million.
On Wake Up with Rob Snow, Luloff said there won't be anymore surprises going forward.
“This is the cost, we will not be coming back asking for more money at either level of government,” said Luloff. “If they end up overspending, PCL will be eating it.”
Luloff defending the cost saying investing in the city's library is well worth it. The programming and services offered, like family storytime, computer access and training, 3D printing machines and even musical instrument rentals make libraries indispensable.
“It truly is a place you know, where you can, where you can connect with other people learn a new skill. And I think that it is it's such an important democratic space that we that we certainly do need to preserve,” said Luloff.
“It's certainly something that adds to a community and I'm really proud of the work that these people do every single day.”
On top of the new central branch, OPL have three more branches in the works, adding to the 33 locations dotting the city. One in Riverside South, another in Barrhaven, and one in the city's east end.
The new branches were spurred on by a gap analysis study conducted in 2016 that found OPL facilities would be short nearly 60,000 square feet by 2023 to accommodate a growing population. By 2031, that shortage would grow to more than 90,000 square feet.
Listen to the full conversation with Councillor Matthew Luloff on Wake Up with Rob Snow below.
