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This will be the new image of the public library of the Stanley A. Milner Center once the restoration and remodeling work is completed.
The emblematic library was built in 1967 to celebrate the Centennial of Canada.
The increasing cost to revitalize the main Edmonton Downtown Library created lot of controversy recently and has been subject of conversation and debate for the population of the city.
Fortunately, good news has been received in this regard, since an agreement was reached in which the federal government and the provincial government contributed $ 2 million dollars each.
The $ 84.5 million project from the Stanley A. Milner library was originally budgeted at $ 62.5 million in 2014 and then increased to $ 69 million in 2016.
Later in September of 2017, the council was told that the cost would increase again, after contractors discovered that the building's heating system was outdated and found abandoned mechanical and electrical equipment on the roof.
At the same time, dangerous materials such as "asbestos" were discovered, which had to be completely eliminated due to the great risk they cause and represent for human health.
Pilar Martínez, general director of the Edmonton Public Library, said she is confident that the cost will not increase again and said: "We are very confident that this is the final budget and the figure corresponds to $ 84.5 million dollars."
"We want to assure to the people of Edmonton that they will have a space that they will be very proud of, because this project will become an iconic building within the city, that's why we have placed so much emphasis on a long-term vision, in which construction challenges do not affect the quality and aesthetics of the new design ".
At the time of this announcement was made the library had raised $ 80 million for the project, including the $ 4 million contribution announced by the federal and provincial governments.
In conclusion, there still a lot of work to do, because there is still an additional $ 4.5 million to collect in order to be able to finance the project in its entirety.
Anyways Mrs. Martinez expressed optimism and said: "We still have a long way to go, we still have a year and a half to collect the remaining money before opening the doors of the renewed construction."
It should be noted that this is the first time that the federal government has contributed funds to the city's library project.
The Federal Minister of Infrastructure, Amarjeet Sohi, former councilor of the City of Edmonton, said that the funds are intended for the general project financing.
In addition, mentioned: "There were some unforeseen problems with the structural integrity of the building, I meant the discovery of asbestos particles was not contemplated or included in the original budget."
"That's why there have been unforeseen and additional costs, but we are very happy to be able to contribute with $ 2 million dollars for the construction and remodeling of this important building."
Adam Laughlin, Municipal Deputy Director of Integrated Infrastructure Services, said it was very difficult to identify these problems when the building was being inspected for the first time.
"It's really difficult to enter, investigate and unearth some of the things you find behind the walls or on the ground while the building is in use." Objectively: "You never know what you are going to find".
Although the library has been closed since December 2017, the Stanley A. Milner building is planning to open its renovated doors to the general public in early 2020.
As you can see very good decisions are being made and very good projects are being built in the historic center of the city, excellent news for the residents of our beautiful City of Edmonton.