King Township approves $8.4M library, seniors centre expansion

The seniors centre will move to the King City library location after the project is completed

Yorkregion.com
July 10, 2018
Simon Martin

The King City Public Library and Seniors Centre expansion project is coming soon. King Township council approved the $8,426,5000 project at council July 9.

The plans for the expansion included incorporating a space to accommodate the new seniors centre, which would relocate from its current location on Fisher Street.

“It’s important to maintain the integrity of the original design without compromising the programmable space for the community, including our seniors,” library CEO Rona O’Banion said.

JR Certus Construction Co. Ltd. was awarded the contract for the construction of the King City Public Library and Seniors Centre at 1970 King Rd. for $8,426,500. The total budget for the project is $10,764,000.

Township staff worked with the seniors centre board to develop the required program space and related facilities that was incorporated into the overall design of the project.

King Township re-tendered the project earlier this year after all the bids from construction companies vying to win the contract came in over budget.

Council members were excited about the new development. Ward 5 Coun. Debbie Schaefer said seniors will benefit due to a change in programming opportunities and space.

“For library users, there will be more space and a venue right for the times. It is a community builder which is financed responsibly,” she said.

Although the construction cost continues to exceed the preliminary budget, having taken the project to the market on two occasions, staff believes that it is highly unlikely further delay or will result in better pricing and that the project should move forward.

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The project funding includes $5,393,052 from development charges, $3 million from debenture and little more than $600,000 from reserves.

Some of the goals and benefits of an updated and expanded library/seniors centre include bringing the service areas up to provincial standards, including accessibility standards and building on the benefits of having the two centres together, such as reduced operational costs and shared resources.

The origins of the project date all the way back to 2006 when the library board undertook a community needs assessment which identified the future direction of programs and services, and the need for revitalized and updated facilities.