It was back in 2018 when the library began exploring the idea of an addition in order to provide space for the community to connect: a safe place for people and groups to meet, engage and learn. 

We have been planning and fundraising, and it has all been successful. We are so grateful for our generous and supportive community. 

We have also applied for grants, the most important being the one offered by the Quebec Ministry of Culture. This is a very extensive application process, which we have been navigating since 2019. The grants come with a strict series of steps that must be followed in order for the project to come to fruition. Needless to say, it is a long process. 

We have submitted the many studies, reports, projections and budgets that are required. The final paperwork was submitted last summer, and the good news is that all of these documents have been analyzed and we have now moved on to Phase II of the process. Once we have met all the requirements of Phase II, we will be given the go-ahead to officially announce the project. 

We are currently working as quickly as possible to complete the Phase II requirements. The first of these is that we are hiring a project manager through a province-wide public tender, who will be tasked with getting the ball rolling on securing all the construction and building experts such as the architects and contractors. 

In the meantime, we are moving forward with the overdue restoration of the building envelope that will bring back the beauty of our jewel of a building. We started a few years ago with a new metal roof and newly milled soffits. This year we will continue the work on the building envelope by restoring and repointing the brick and granite, as well as restoring the balcony on the east side. So you will see work beginning in the next few months, but no excavation yet. 

We are as impatient as you are and can’t wait to announce the receipt of this provincial grant and give a date for the construction of the extension.