The Vancouver Island Regional Library board of trustees has approved construction of a new library in Cumberland.
"It's exciting. I'm thrilled to bits," said Coun. Kate Greening, a VIRL board member. "I've been working on it for quite a while, myself."
The library will be located across from Village Square and front onto Dunsmuir Avenue. Parking will be available at the front and rear of the building, which will follow heritage design guidelines of the Village. Residential units will be located in the upper portion.
The library will be more than 2,750 square feet, about three times larger than the current branch that is undersized and overdue for replacement. The wheelchair-accessible facility will be air conditioned — "which will be a real treat in the summertime," Greening notes — and contain sufficient space for computers and children's activities.
A Request for Proposal issued in December garnered three responses, which were evaluated according to financial, building and location criteria.
Construction will start no later than Sept. 15, pending issuance of permits by the Village.