Powell River Public Library’s new Alberni Street location will now open during the last week of June, according to chief librarian Terry Noreault.
In February, Noreault said May was shaping up to be a possibility for completion of renovations to the long-delayed building and that he was waiting for general contractors Futurevest Investment Corporation to provide a firm date.
At that time, Futurevest co-owner Fred Formosa said he would have a better idea of when the project would wrap up when the building’s structural steel frame for its lobby and roof were installed.
Noreault said the contractor recently gave him a completion date of the end of June or sooner. Workers are currently finishing the building’s exterior.
“Of course, I’m taking a risk and things can go wrong,” said Noreault, “but I’m going to start working on organizing the transition.”
Noreault said he is planning on closing the current library location on Monday, June 12, for two weeks to allow his staff enough time to move the library’s collections.
City of Powell River project manager Tor Birtig confirmed Futurevest is continuing to work on the building’s façade and front lobby. He added that landscaping the site still needs to take place, but that alone will not preclude the library from moving into the space.
Birtig said that, in his estimate, Futurevest should not have any problem completing the remaining work on time.
“We’re going to continue to monitor progress; you never know if something’s going to go sideways, but right now everything is looking on track,” he said.
Birtig said the city has negotiated with Futurevest for some tweaks to the original design that include extra lighting and additional power outlets.
“There have been some additional things we’ve asked for,” he said, “but we’re still on budget.”
It is unknown why a completion date was not previously scheduled and previous deadlines were not met. Formosa declined to comment.
