The Hamilton Public Library’s updated 10-year capital budget forecast now includes a new budget line for the renovation of the West Harbour Discovery Centre into a new library branch with a focus on serving Hamilton’s Indigenous community.
The Library estimates the renovation and conversion costs will be approximately $15-million.
The branch will repurpose the Marine Discovery Centre, originally built in 2004 by Parks Canada, closed in 2010, and transferred to the City of Hamilton in 2015. The City had its Hamilton Waterfront Trust department lease out the space to a controversial nightclub. The club, Sarcoa, closed in 2017. The building has been vacant since.
(The City of Hamilton settled a $15-million lawsuit filed by Sarcoa, the terms remain secret.)
New Library Branch Concept
As TPR reported in September, the new library branch will include Indigenous-focused spaces and displays about Hamilton’s heritage. It will serve the planned population growth in the North End’s Pier 7 and 8 redevelopment, and provide space for some of the Library’s city-wide programs.
The Library Board is planning consultations to plan the branch’s programming and design in the coming months.
Library Hopes to Draw Funds from Development Charges
The $15-million budget line includes a note that the HPL hopes to charge as much of the project’s cost as possible to the City’s development charge reserves.
Production Details v. 1.0.0 Published: October 20, 2024 Last updated: October 20, 2024 Author: Joey Coleman Update Record v. 1.0.0 original version