GuelphToday received the following letter on the size of the proposed new library.
Why 88,000 sq ft. for the new central main library?
The 88,000 sq ft for the proposed new central library does not come out of thin air. It is an evidence based decision approved by the Guelph Public Library Board and city council. The size was determined through a study applying a standard model used by most libraries in Ontario. The ‘basic’ size was selected.
The KPMG Business Case recommending 88,000 sq ft was approved by Guelph City Council on Feb 13, 2018. The vote was almost unanimous:
Moved by Councillor Gordon Seconded by Councillor Downer
Carried
That the size of the library component of the Baker District Development be confirmed to be 88,000 sq ft as recommended in the KPMG Guelph Public Library (GPL) business case dated January 24, 2018.
Voting in Favour: Mayor Guthrie, Councillors Billings, Downer, Gibson, Gordon, Hofland, MacKinnon, Piper, Salisbury and Wettstein (10)
Voting Against: Councillor Bell (1)
In July of 2018, Council unanimously supported moving forward with the preferred partner from a Request for Proposals process that included a 88,000 sq ft library:
Moved by Councillor Downer Seconded by Councillor Gibson
That Staff be authorized to enter into a Letter of Intent with the preferred development partner as identified through the “10-094 Request for Proposals the Baker District Mixed-Use Development from the Pre-Qualified Development Teams” process.
Voting in Favour: Mayor Guthrie, Councillors Allt, Bell, Billings, Downer, Gibson, Gordon, Hofland, MacKinnon, Piper, Salisbury, Van Hellemond and Wettstein (13) Voting Against: (0)
In September of 2018, Council again supported a motion to incorporate a 88,000 sq ft, $67 million library into the 2020 Capital Budget and Forecast:
d) Public Library construction cost to a maximum of $67.1 million inclusive of a capital funding strategy that requires an estimated 0.86% increase to the property tax levy.
Voting in Favour: Councillors Allt, Billings, Downer, Goller, Gordon, Hofland, O’Rourke, Piper and Salisbury (9)
Voting Against: Mayor Guthrie, Councillors Bell, Gibson and MacKinnon (4)
The 2020 Capital Budget and Forecast which included the 88, 000 sq ft library was passed on November 13, 2019 by City Council:
Voting in Favour: Mayor Guthrie, Councillors Allt, Billings, Downer, Gibson, Goller, Gordon, Hofland, MacKinnon, O’Rourke, Piper and Salisbury (12)
Voting Against Councillor Bell (1)
Since that time, city staff, Windmill (the chosen partner) and the Guelph Public Library have been working together to get us to a final agreement.
We are there now with the long approved 88,000 sq ft library at a cost of $62 million- a price that includes furnishing, equipment and a healthy contingency.
A number that reflects the $705 a sq ft cost for a ‘basic’ library - a long way from $10 million cost in 1995. Funding will come from sale of property, reserves, debt, development charges and a tax levy of .39 per cent, or $14.65 annually, for 20 years.
The funding strategy is recommended by city staff along with a delayed start until 2022. The increase in operating costs are expected to be covered increased assessment. The new design brings with it an approximate $25 million savings for the whole site including $5 million savings on the library.
Other efficiencies are anticipated to be found with this new stand alone building once detailed design work is done. Once approved, we can apply for other grants. Once approved, a fundraising campaign can start. The Friends on the Guelph Public Library have raised over $750,000 in book sales to go toward programming once the library is built.
Some on council are NOW suggesting we build a library for $43 million or 60,000 sq ft. Where are the studies to back this size and cost? There is no functional plan for a building of that size. There is no business case. This would not provide us with a central main library that would accommodate a city of 203,000 by 2051.
Why throw past evidence based decisions out the window? The current library cannot wait for another process. It is in dire need of significant repairs and accessibility updates costing millions of dollars. The original 1965 tiny elevator breaks down twice a week-sometimes with people in it. The building contains asbestos.
The Guelph Public Library has jumped through every hoop for 25 years- more hoops than any other project in the history of this City. Hoops cost money. Let’s finally move forward.
Cathy Downer, city councillor
