The Gabrielle Roy Library, which has been closed since 2019, will open its doors again in autumn 2023 and not in spring, contrary to the plan. This is a new shift for this $43.3 million project.
• Also read: City of Quebec: additional costs and some delays on projects
The reopening of the emblematic building in the Saint-Roch district, announced in spring 2023, will therefore not take place. The City of Quebec states that the schedule has been revised following a recent update on the website.
“This delay in schedule is related to the major repair of a main truss of the building as well as multiple delays in the equipment supply chain related to the pandemic and the global context,” said Mathilde Borde, Communications Advisor.
This is a new shift for this $43.3 million project, including $10 million from the Quebec government. In 2020, the cancellation of a tender caused a year-long delay in repair work.
reactions
“This delay is meant to be symptomatic of what is happening with several projects across Quebec City, and we fear that these delays could have a financial impact,” responded Alicia Despins, Vanier-Duberger councilor and official opposition culture officer.
The tender for phase 2 of the works had been canceled as the bids received were well in excess of estimates.
“At this point in time, no budget overrun is to be expected for the site,” assured Ms. Borde.
Contracts for the plans and specifications were awarded in Fall 2017 and pre-construction work began in September 2019.
“The location is a challenge in itself. There are many restrictions, ”commented a resident of the sector, who preferred to remain anonymous.
A noisy construction site
“I wonder if we don’t have to undo the work when it’s done because it’s out of date or out of date,” Citizen Steeve Drolet said.
“If it’s paid for with government money, there’s a good chance there will be delays,” added another passerby on the street.
The patience of the citizens of Saint-Roch has been severely tested in recent years. In addition to the noise and dust associated with the construction of the library, the preparatory work for the tram was being carried out almost simultaneously.
According to a compilation of calls to 311, there have been 19 complaints since the library project began, 8 of them related to noise.
The next steps:
- Interior design and interior design: Winter 2022 and Spring 2023
- Outdoor facilities: Spring and Summer 2023
- Installation of special equipment and furniture: Summer and Fall 2023
- Relocation of the collections and takeover of the building: Summer and early fall 2023
- Opening of the new library to the public: Fall 2023
Source: City of Quebec
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