Major renovation of Hamilton rec centre, library gets underway

Hamilton | Ontario | Latest News | Politics |

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Published November 4, 2019 at 5:45 pm

Hamilton Library handout

The Hamilton Public Library’s Valley Park branch closed down earlier this fall to undergo some significant renovations and this past weekend city officials were on hand to celebrate the project’s g

The Hamilton Public Library’s Valley Park branch closed down earlier this fall to undergo some significant renovations and this past weekend city officials were on hand to celebrate the project’s groundbreaking.

To accommodate the population boom in the Upper Stoney Creek area, the library is undergoing a massive expansion: it will increase from its current 3,000 sq. ft. to approximately 12,000 square feet.

There will also be improved building efficiencies, more windows and higher ceilings, a proposed makers’ space and a number of other new amenities.

As the library construction gets underway, plans are in the works to upgrade portions of the recreation facilities. There are even plans to include daycare at the site.

According to the project’s architect, McCallum Sather, the “26,500SF, $9.5M project represents an understanding of the space’s evolving needs, incorporating future-ready design that reflects the exciting evolution of libraries and prepares for further growth within the surrounding population.”

Ward 9 councillor, Brad Clark, was on hand to mark the occasion of the groundbreaking and touted the efforts of everyone involved in the getting the project off the ground.

“Since 2007, it took a huge team effort to get this expansion moving forward,” the councillor tweeted. “I am grateful to everyone who helped.”

Valley Park Community Centre was last renovated in 1990 and the mechanical equipment has reached the end of its service time, according to an information update on HPL’s website. The renovations will include:

  • Expanded recreation programming space;
  • New reception desk and common areas;
  • Roofing replacement;
  • Exterior cladding and block repair;
  • Pool boiler and pumps;
  • Arena dehumidifier (No ice season closures anticipated);
  • Parking lot resurfacing.

While Valley Park arena is expected to remain open throughout the renovations, the rest of the facility, including the pool which is also undergoing significant upgrades, will remain closed until Fall 2021.

Recreation centres and libraries in the area are expected to increase programming to accommodate the closures.

Rendering courtesy Hamilton Public Library

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