News Release

Central Library Update

(Wednesday, April 13, 2011) - Activity at the Halifax Central Library site will begin this month. Construction managers EllisDon have begun mobilizing trailers and electrical services at the site on the corner of Spring Garden Road and Queen Street.

Planned Activity for April

• Site activity will increase throughout the month of April. Site trailers will be installed and electrical will be secured.

• A tender will be awarded for archaeological exploration work and site fencing.
Planned Activity for May

• Fencing will be installed around the perimeter of the site.

• Archaeological exploration will begin. The dig is expected to conclude in June.

The Central Library site has an interesting history. Bellevue House, the home of the British Army's Commander-in-Chief for Halifax once stood near the corner of Spring Garden Road and Queen Street. Archaeologists will monitor the removal of asphalt and earth in layers to watch for signs of historic structures and/or artefacts. If these are discovered during the initial assessment, the archaeology team will begin a more detailed excavation process to study, record and preserve the discovered items. All items become the property of the Province of Nova Scotia which assumes long term curatorial responsibility for all archaeological artefacts. The archaeological investigations at the central library site will be conducted under the terms of a Heritage Research Permit issued to Cultural Resource Management Group Limited by the Heritage Division of the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage.

Further updates on the Central Library’s progress will be provided as project activity progresses. Upcoming milestones include the Central Library Public Art candidate selection, the final site plan approval, the sixth public open house to reveal the final library design and a formal ground breaking ceremony - all expected during the months of June and July.

The Halifax Central Library is funded by the governments of Canada, Nova Scotia and HRM. It is expected to be complete in late 2013, with the opening in 2014.

Additional Information

For information and updates on the Central Library visit, www.halifaxcentrallibrary.ca

For information on HRM tenders and requests for proposals visit, www.halifax.ca/procurement/index.html

For more information on HRM’s public art program, visit www.halifax.ca/culture/publicart

For information on the Heritage Division and the Special Places Protection Act, visit: www.gov.ns.ca/tch/heritage_specialplaces.asp

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CONTACT:

Katherine VanBuskirk
HRM, Corporate Communications
490-6697