Duane Hicks
Work on the new Fort Frances Public Library and Technology Centre is moving along on schedule and on budget, with a grand opening set for June 21.
The local “Friends of the Library” toured the building Friday afternoon, at which time project manager Brian Avis provided a status update.
Most of the inside has been painted, much of the trim has gone up, most of the flooring is in, the bathrooms are completed, the fireplace has been installed, and the millwork (i.e., cabinets, desks, cupboards, drawers, etc.) is done for the most part.
Carpeting still has to be put down, the fireplace frontal area has to be done, and some trim has to be put up here and there.
The building then will be inspected for any deficiencies, and any areas that need to be addressed will be.
If work continues going as well as it has, Avis said they’ll be looking at “substantial completion” of the interior by the end of April.
Work also is moving along on the exterior. Vinyl siding has been put up in recent weeks, and the shouldice stone work began last week.
Avis said that depending on the weather, all of the exterior work, including possibly landscaping, could be done by the end of April, too.
Meanwhile, work also is underway on the heat recovery system, which links the library to the arena and will utilize heat from the ice plant to heat the library.
Currently, this heat is exhausted into the air. But when harnessed through this system, it should be able to provide enough heat to keep the entire library warm in winter.
(The new building also utilizes “green” technology, such as solar panel collectors on the roof to heat hot water, and windows to provide natural light, thereby reduce operating costs and energy use).
“We’re very happy with the contractor and the architect, and the tradesmen. They’ve all been good,” Avis remarked.
But Avis pointed out that even once all of this work is done, there’s still plenty to do in May and June.
The circulation desk, book shelves, chairs, tables, and other furnishings will have to be moved in, as will all of the computers, smart boards, televisions, and other technology.
The current library’s collection, and other items, also will have to be moved over, unpacked, and made ready for patrons to use.
The new facility will include the main circulation area, fiction and non-fiction sections, a reading area, adaptive technology room, study rooms, staff work area and break room, teen area, children’s department, fireside lounge, information technology (IT) training lab, and the Shaw Communications room.
It also will have a self-checkout system, and be completely accessible to those with disabilities.
It is not only a single-story building, but will have an adaptive technology area where those with vision or physical impairments will be able to use technology to
access materials.
The whole facility is equipped for wireless Internet, and will feature many areas for people to sit New,” Pwith their own laptop computers.
But it also will have small meeting rooms available for interviews, meetings, and appointments, as well as providing temporary business “incubator” office space complete with state-of-the-art connectivity to assist businesses to grow.
There will be space and equipment available to support entrepreneurs to establish or expand their businesses.
As well, the town will work with the Northern Ontario Innovation Centre (NOIC) and the Rainy River Future Development Corp. to facilitate the transfer of information, programming, and services.
