New Central Library Takes Another Big Step With Contract Award

HRM Release:

(December 7, 2010) – The new Central Library for the southeast corner
of Spring Garden Road and Queen Street moved ahead today with
Council’s award of a contract for construction management
services.

The $2.87 million contract went to EllisDon Limited, who will engage
subcontractors to carry out various aspects of the construction. The
contract award is within the $55 million scope of the library.

A new Central Library will improve library services throughout the
region and provide a cultural anchor for the Capital District. The new
facility will provide spaces for community programming, comfortable
seating, study/research areas and radically improved access to
technology.

“This contract award brings us one step closer to seeing the vision
of the Central Library realized,” said Mayor Peter Kelly. “We look
forward to seeing this boldly-designed building take shape for the
benefit of residents, for the downtown, and for the regional benefits to
our library system.”

On April 28, 2009, Council approved the Central Library replacement as
a priority under Building Canada for federal and provincial
cost-sharing. The library contribution breaks down as follows:  Federal
contribution, $18.3 million; Provincial contribution, $13 million; and
HRM contribution, $23.7 million.

On May 26, 2009, Council passed operating and project budgets which
included the budget for detailed design, a contract that went to Halifax
firm Fowler Bauld & Mitchell, working with Danish firm schmidt hammer
lassen architects, with a mandate to design a signature building.

Over the next few months, the design will be evolving from concept
drawings, to construction documents and then to the actual construction.
Council also approved the delegation of authority to the Acting CAO to
approve the award of sub trade contracts, the same process that has been
used on the Canada Games Centre.

To read the staff report, visit
http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/101207rcAgenda.html.
For more information on the Central Library, visit
http://www.halifaxcentrallibrary.ca/.