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New library costs about 95 million

Proposed building would add over 72000 annually in operating costs
Laura Walz

 UPDATED:  A proposed new Powell River Public Library will cost about $9.5 million, according to a cost estimate released by the library board of trustees.

The cost is based on a Class C estimate for a 15,000-square-foot new building located on the former arena site, the vacant lot on the corner of Marine Avenue and Abbotsford Street.

The board has released a design concept report prepared by Miller Hull Partnership, an architectural firm from Washington, Public: Architecture and Communication, an architectural firm from Vancouver, and MHPM Project Managers, Inc.

“The board is very proud of the fact that this project has been accomplished with the participation of so many of you in Powell River,” said Shehzad Somji, chair, in a press release. “That bodes well for success in the next stage of the project—finding the right mix of revenues to pay for constructing the new library.”

According to the report, the new library would add additional operating costs of just over $72,000 annually. The cost estimate was prepared by a licensed quantity surveyor and as the design is only in concept phase with no detailed plans yet complete, the estimate is accurate to within 20 per cent, states the release. The detailed itemized cost report was prepared by the BC firm SSA Quality Surveyors, Ltd. and is appended to the report.

“Raising the money to build the library will be a challenge but we’re prepared to take that on,” said Charlie Kregel, chief librarian, in the statement. “We’d like to lock in a minimum of two-thirds of the funding from sources other than local taxation and then we’ll go to council to ask them to approve the project.”

If long-term City of Powell River borrowing is a component of city funding, that would automatically trigger a required referendum.

The release states the board will seek funding from the federal and provincial governments, private foundations, corporations and individuals as well as a local canvassing campaign.

Powell River Regional District has stated it has to hold a referendum before it can contribute to the cost of a new library.

“Although the new library is a major investment for the community, it has the potential to make a significant economic contribution and not only by improving community literacy and thereby the skill levels of our workforce,” the release states. “Anchored at the southwest corner of important parkland, library visits there will also mean both more park use and increased commerce along Marine Avenue. This library will also be an important community amenity that will attract new residents to Powell River.”

A number of actions need to be completed in order for the project to move forward, according to the report. They include:

• Geotechnical study for soils and water.

• Detailed survey.

• Environmental review.

• City parking assessment.

• Feasibility study looking into parallel parking along Marine Avenue.

• City report to confirm the capacity and condition of existing site servicing and suitability for a building of this size and use.

As well, the report states the plan “satisfies accessibility requirements within the property lines of the library site. This plan assumes that it is the city’s responsibility to address any other potential issues with respect to streets and sidewalks in the immediate vicinity of the new library.”

Readers can view the complete report here.