HRM News Release
New Central Library Takes Another Big Step With Contract Award
(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/.
-30-
Contact:
Mayor Peter Kelly
490-4010
