After considerable discussion, previous public consultations and the development of a business case for renewing our Rosemount Branch, the Ottawa Public Library (OPL) Board has decided to renovate the existing building. Your input will be a critical success factor for the upcoming renovations.
There are three significant opportunities for the community to contribute their input to the OPL.
- A preliminary online survey designed to help the OPL and the architectural firm better understand how clients utilize the branch and to solicit opinions on all aspects of the building including heritage assets, architecture, layout, accessibility, and overall uses and functions of the facility. Click here to access the survey.
- An open house at the branch on October 3rd, 2018 from 6-8pm at 18 Rosemount Avenue. The winning project architects, +VG, will explain the project’s scope and options for layout and design. The format for the open house is drop-in. There may be requests for a formal presentation. For those who can’t make the open house, the presented materials will be posted online on October 4th for additional feedback. This is a critical opportunity to hear what all stakeholders have to say.
- In December the architects will table a design concept with the OPL which will incorporate community input from the survey and open house. There will subsequently be an opportunity for stakeholders to review the design in the community later that month.
The OPL states that the budget for this project, two million dollars, will be the most they’ve ever spent on an existing branch renewal. It is a significant investment. It should be noted, however, that certain other renewals have involved matching funds from outside the OPL funding envelope that resulted in larger project expenditures.
Construction is planned for the spring of 2019. A temporary depot for certain library services will be established at 1207 Wellington Street, W during the renovations. Reopening of the Rosemount Avenue building is forecast for the spring of 2020.
To keep abreast of the initiative as it unfolds and keep watch on the OPL’s Rosemount Revitalization, please visit https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/rosemount-revitalization
The HCA has been supportive of READ Rosemount, a citizens’ advocacy group with members from throughout the branch’s catchment area, whose mandate is to ensure that our Rosemount Avenue Branch is an expanded, fully functional and up to date facility, centrally located and fully accessible to all community members. Their good work continues as they strive to ensure that we receive services commensurate with those provided elsewhere in the city. For much more information on the Rosemount Branch, look them up at http://www.readrosemount.ca/ to learn more about their efforts or contact them at readrosemount@gmail.com
