Sneak peak at the new round library
The Vancouver Island Regional Library hosted a Sooke Library site unveiling on Wednesday evening.
The new library will be about 10,000 square feet. For comparison, the current library has 3,000 square feet. There will be underground parking and a total of 59 parking spaces, with a main walk-in entrance on Wadams Way. The library will have an adult section (divided into Fiction and Non-Fiction) and a children’s space. There will be a multi-purpose room that can accommodate up to 50, and two other break-out rooms.
The building will be embracing new techology, and will have WIFI throughout, a 3D printer (may possibly have two portable recording studios. They are looking into solar panels. There will be electric vehicle charging stations, for both the public and for staff. The underground parking will also have secure storage for bicycles.
The architect was Rod Windjacket, who also happened to be the architect of Edward Milne Community School, Journey Middle School, and Poirier Elementary.
VIRL aspires to work alongside with the local Indigenous population, and the meeting was opened with a greeting from an elder of T’Sou-ke nation.
The Library Board has been pre-approved for a $6 million loan to build the building. The budgeting has already been built into their financial projections, and there will be no tax increases to the public.
As far as the completion date, that’s were things get more vague. They are hoping to apply for a development permit in the summer, and a building permit in the fall. They refused to pin down even a target timeline, but assured the public that at no time would Sooke be without a library.
On the outside, they hope to have a storm water catchment garden.
Once they have the full presentation posted on their website, SPN will let you know.
Related
- Sneak peak at the new round library
- REMINDER: Sooke Library Open House showcases designs for new library building
- Sooke Library Open House showcases designs for new library building
- Sooke Library Update: Site plans ready to be finalized
- General Lot A update: Logs sold to only bidder, no new news on new Library timeline
- Sooke considers lumber funds for local non-profits
- New Sooke Library timeline shifts but remains VIRL’s top priority
- Clearing of Lot A on Wadams (Photos)
- You know you’re in a small town when …
- Lot A brush clearing costs up to $50k; doesn’t include garbage or structure removal
- Sooke Councillor Parkinson pushes for timely fire-safe maintenance on Lot A
- VIRL hosts consultation for public input on new library
- Community input wanted: Sooke Library public consultation
- VIRL unanimously approves downtown Sooke library branch
- Lot A Concept Plans for the new Sooke Library
- BREAKING: Sooke’s New Library lands solidly on Lot A, in the town core
- BREAKING: Sooke’s New Library lands solidly on Lot A, in the town core
- LETTER: A modest proposal (for the Sooke Library)
- District pulls support for SEAPARC as a future Library site
- Lot A Appraisal from 2013 released by the District of Sooke
- Lot A featured big during Feb 14 Public Input session
- Sooke Mayor applauds Council for their Foresight
- New Library at SEAPARC under serious consideration
- Oops, we did it again: The District plays whack-a-mole with the Sooke Library
- Letter: Improper Council spending should not become taxpayers’ burden
- A new library is coming to Sooke
- Expression of Interest: Land Acquisition of a new library site, Sooke branch
looks good!! I hope the meeting rooms will be available for rent for different arts clubs etc
I do hope they do proper tendering for the construction company so they don’t have to fire everyone like happened with the wooden stairway to the boardwalk.
Sorry but don’t have a lot of faith judging from the past experience of Council and Staff.
Wonderful-sounding development for Sooke. Could it be possible for VIRL to purpose-build a Senior’s Centre in the same building?
A 6 million dollar building, yet no tax increases. How does that work?
“…a 3D printer (may possibly have two portable recording studios. They are looking into solar panels. There will be electric vehicle charging stations, for both the public and for staff.”
Sounds like someone at VIRL is heavily into empire building with other people’s money. Will the charging stations be “free”, with gas guzzling taxpayers picking up the tab?
Re: taxes. The Vancouver Island Regional Library collects a local services tax annually towards a budget that includes maintenance and replacement of libraries. The VIRL Board had this one covered a couple of years ago; it is in the budget so no tax increase. The present Sooke library is in a rented building. This new library will be build and owned by the VIRL on land leased from District of Sooke. It is going to be a modern library, without clay tablets or parchment scrolls.
FYI:
From vocabulary.com
“Let’s look at three homophones: peak, peek, and pique. Peak is a topmost point, such as a mountain peak, or to reach that point:
We’re sort of at peak demand right now.
A peek is a glance or a quick look, like you do with the unwrapped Christmas presents at the bottom of your loved one’s closet. It can also mean to glance or to peer at. It’s frequently paired with sneak, which can lead you to use the incorrect peak:
Residents take a peek at bike and pedestrian safety plans
Yellowstone Offers Sneak Peek Of New Visitor Center
Finally, pique is to upset or excite someone. You will sometimes see peek one’s interest for pique one’s interest, but don’t be fooled. If you’re piquing someone’s interest, you are exciting their interest not taking a quick look at it:
If that doesn’t pique your interest, you can leave (but I’m keeping your shoes).
Here’s your mnemonic device:
You have to reach to gain the peak.
If you peer at something, you are peeking.
And if you’re piqued about something, there’s usually a question in your mind about it.”