Despite what you may hear on the news or read online, print is not dead. There are more public libraries than coffee shops across the country. While some view a public library as a place to just store books, libraries play an important place in our community. They serve as hubs for learning and professional development. Libraries are free spaces that allow anyone the opportunity to open a book and become educated on a topic that’s important to them.
Originally slated to open in November of 2017, and then March 2018, the Oak Ridges Library was supposed to be a space to share ideas and educate each other on issues important in the community. Located on the corner of Yonge Street and Regatta Avenue, the library has been sitting at 90 percent completion since the Town of Richmond Hill ended the contract with Bondfield Construction Company Limited.
The idea of a new library in Richmond Hill has been on the minds of the community for over ten years. The project was approved in 2015 as apart of the 2015 Capital Budget and is slated to replace the current home of the library which has long outgrown its space. The 19,000-square-foot facility will offer Richmond Hill residents meeting rooms, program rooms, an expanded library collection for all ages, workshops, planned programming and audio/visual equipment for free play.
While construction delays are expected, no one expected the library project to drag out this long. As of March 14, 2019, Richmond Hill partnered with Buttcon Limited to complete the Oak Ridges Library. With only 10 percent more of the building to complete, Buttcon plans to have the project completed by Fall 2019 and the current library, Richmond Hill Public Library has allocated themselves a six-week transition from their old location to the new location.
Libraries are a fantastic place, and in today’s political and economic climate, they are needed more than ever. Once the Oak Ridges Library opens, the community will be able to enjoy the space and help create Canada’s future leaders.
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