The Guelph Public Library has accepted a recommendation from its Library Site Selection Committee.
The Baker Street parking lot in downtown Guelph was favored over 13 other sites that Committee considered since its formation in 2005, many of which proved to be unworkable for a variety of reasons. Two other strong possibilities- the expansion of the existing main branch facility at Norfolk Street and the Cooperators Day Care Site at Woolwich and MacDonell – were also recommended for consideration.
The Committee was following the mandate laid out by Guelph City Council in October 2005. This called for a site with room for future expansion, and one limited to the city plan for Guelph originally drawn up by John Galt.
However, the selection of the Baker Street and Cooperators sites did not come until extensive study was done, according to the Committee’s mandate, to see if the current site at Norfolk Street could be significantly improved and expanded to meet the library’s needs
A report by Monteith –Brown Planning Consultants ultimately concluded that, even with land acquisitions, requirements could barely be met at the existing site.
The report found that there would be little room for any further expansion, parking would be limited, and too many aspects of the current building would need to be upgraded to meet building code and related requirements. Project costs were estimated at a minimum range of $20 – $26 million exclusive of land acquisition, bedrock removal and other needs.
Norman McLeod, Chief Librarian, said the Site Selection Committee then evaluated Baker Street and the Cooperators site, using a variety of criteria and concluded that Baker Street was the more favorable of the two.
“Its central location, excellent accessibility and general prominence make it the more attractive of the three options,” he said.
However, said McLeod, the committee did not want to present an “all or nothing” report to the Library Board or the City of Guelph.
“The committee feels that the best way for this project move forward is to present three options with a comprehensive rationale and capital projection for each,” he said.
McLeod commended the work of the Site Selection Committee, consisting of members of the local business community, city councillors and library staff, under the chairmanship of local businessman Robert Ireland.
“It has worked exceptionally hard to review all options fairly and completely”, he said. “The Library Board believes it truly does have the best three options in front of it, to present to Guelph City Council.”
The Public Library Board will now forward the recommendations to Council.