A multi-million dollar fundraising campaign is in the planning stages for the new central library in Downtown Guelph.
The Guelph Public Library has engaged with KCI Consulting to plan the campaign out.
"(Things like) putting together a cabinet, or an organizing body to help further plan that campaign," CEO Steven Kraft told GuelphToday. "I don't know what it's going to look like at this point. It's still in the early stages."
He said through the larger, never-before-attempted campaign, the hope is to raise between $3 million and $3.5 million.
This, he said, would be separate from the annual campaign the library typically has done for many years.
This year, the annual campaign is looking for dollars to go toward the new library. Kraft said donations are also being accepted as part of the campaign, which will benefit the Rosa Rattray Early Literacy Fund.
As for the newer, bigger campaign, Kraft anticipates something will be presented to the public either in the spring or summer.
"Also spring to summer, you will start seeing some digging going on, I think, on Baker Street as well," he said. "Hopefully, they will put a shovel in the ground and start doing that underground parking lot that will service both the library and the private development on that acreage."
The new central library – a project currently approved with a $62 million budget to anchor the Baker District redevelopment – would be a three-storey, 88,000 square-foot structure, with residential, commercial and public space, along with underground parking.
But with the tendering process expected to begin soon, there's still some unknowns.
This includes the project cost, which could potentially go back to council if construction bids go over the $62 million.
Ian Scott, the city's manager of facility construction and design, said last month both the library and parking structure are expect to open by December 2025.
