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CBC
4 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Ottawa's new central library Ᾱdisōke could face delays
Library on LeBreton Flats is still scheduled to open next summer Ottawa's new central library is nearing completion, but there are fresh concerns that its anticipated opening next summer could be delayed. During a construction update before the city's finance and corporate services committee Tuesday, project manager Tara Blasioli showed off the building's completed exterior, including its roof of sweeping curves and complex angles. "This is not your traditional construction," Blasioli told councillors on the committee. "One of the things we wanted to achieve with this building is openness, airiness, a lot of warmth, so that is certainly taking a lot of time." Given the complexity of the interior work that needs to be finished, including custom-made fixtures, furniture and art installations, she said there could be delays. "We want to make sure it's done well and we want to take our time with it," Blasioli said, stressing the work is being completed as quickly as possible. "There is a pressure, it's all hands on deck, but everybody wants to work together to recover that time and find strategies to mitigate further delays." Project pegged at $334M Ᾱdisōke (pronounced AW-de-SO-keh) means "storytelling" in the Anishinābemowin Algonquin language. Both the new library's name and its design grew from a collaboration with nearby First Nations Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg and the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan. The project, which is a collaboration with Library and Archives Canada, is being funded by both the municipal and federal governments. It's expected to cost nearly $334 million, up from $192 million four years ago, with $27 million set aside for furniture, fixtures and other equipment. It will have a heritage workshop dedicated to Library and Archives Canada with rare collections, a retail space, main floor café, a kitchen space on the fifth floor, a gift shop and of course thousands upon thousands of books. Integrated solar panels on the building's exterior will generate about 10 per cent of the library's energy needs, while natural light and warm wood will bring "the feeling of nature inside the facility," Blasioli said. As Canada's trade war with the U.S. drags on, Coun. Riley Brockington wanted to know if a "buy Canadian" policy was in place for the library's furniture. "As much as possible, we do want to buy Canadian," Blasioli told reporters later. "We're not allowed to limit or restrict bidders that are only Canadian, but we'll endeavour to look at those opportunities." Another update on the the library's construction is scheduled for the fall.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Contractor facing ‘pressure on construction schedule' for new Ottawa public library at LeBreton Flats
Construction on Adisoke, Ottawa's new central library, is more than 50 per cent complete. The building has five floors and features many public spaces, shared between the Ottawa Public Library and Library and Archives Canada. (Leah Larocque/CTV News Ottawa) The contractor building Ottawa's new central library at LeBreton Flats warns the complexity of the work on the new $334 million facility is putting 'pressure on the construction schedule,' according to staff. City staff say the contractor has 'signalled' there are pressures on the construction schedule, but don't have a 'full schedule' to analyze the main reasons for the delays and to provide an updated timeline to open the facility west of downtown Ottawa. Ādisōke, a joint venture between Ottawa Public Library and Library and Archives Canada, is scheduled to open by the summer of 2026. Councillors on the finance and corporate services committee were told that 'work has been progressing very well,' but the contractor is warning pressures may delay the opening. 'Ādisōke's design is very complex and construction is also complicated, but we have seen tremendous progress,' Tara Blasioli, manager in Infrastructure Services, told councillors Tuesday morning. 'While the structure itself is now complete and the building is enclosed, the project is now into another complex phase where interior finishes are intricate and detailed.' Blasioli said work that remains to be completed include custom millwork throughout the facility, including desks and furniture, installation specialized lighting installations to support programming, and coordinating the art being installed in the new facility. 'Quality is of upmost importance and we want to make sure all of the complex elements that form part of this project are to the standard that we expect, that they are done right, and this work cannot be rushed,' Blasioli said. 'To that end, the contractor has signalled a pressure on the construction schedule. Earlier in the project, we did see some minor pressures, but they were recovered with the contractor submitting a recovery strategies and mitigation plans that were successful.' 'At this stage of the project, given the complexity of these finishes and the amount of custom work that needs to be completed, the flexibility could be more limited.' Adisoke interior May 13 2024 A look at progress inside Ottawa's new central library, Adisoke, which is now more than 50 per cent complete. May 13, 2024. (Leah Larocque/CTV News Ottawa) Blasioli says the city has not accepted or validated the pressures from the contractor, and 'due diligence' needs to happen and there will be 'continued oversight on the schedule.' The 216,000 sq. ft., five-floor facility includes a large atrium with performance and exhibition spaces, feature staircases and a wooden roof made up of Douglas fir beams and timber panels. While the contractor is warning of pressures, Blasioli said it's too early to say whether the pressures will delay the project. 'It's not just one single reason, there will be probably be a variety or several reasons this pressure is presenting itself now,' Blasioli said in response to a question from Coun. Jeff Leiper. 'The most notable of which is the complexity of the work that is happening inside and the time it is taking to execute those elements with such detail.' The City of Ottawa is bolstering oversight of the construction, including bringing in third-party expects to oversee the schedule. Blasioli says the city is also looking at opportunities for 'time recovery and mitigation' to ensure the library will open on schedule, including expediting move-in plans and exploring scenarios that could allow for cohabitation. The City of Ottawa is spending $201 million on the new library, while Library and Archives Canada committed $132.7 million.
