Ottawa's new central library Ᾱdisōke could face delays

Ottawa's new central library is nearing completion, but there are fresh concerns that its anticipated opening next summer could be delayed.

During a construction update before the city's finance and corporate services committee Tuesday, project manager Tara Blasioli showed off the building's completed exterior, including its roof of sweeping curves and complex angles.

"This is not your traditional construction," Blasioli told councillors on the committee. "One of the things we wanted to achieve with this building is openness, airiness, a lot of warmth, so that is certainly taking a lot of time."

Given the complexity of the interior work that needs to be finished, including custom-made fixtures, furniture and art installations, she said there could be delays.

"We want to make sure it's done well and we want to take our time with it," Blasioli said, stressing the work is being completed as quickly as possible.

"There is a pressure, it's all hands on deck, but everybody wants to work together to recover that time and find strategies to mitigate further delays."

Project pegged at $334M

Ᾱdisōke (pronounced AW-de-SO-keh) means "storytelling" in the Anishinābemowin Algonquin language. Both the new library's name and its design grew from a collaboration with nearby First Nations Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg and the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan.

The project, which is a collaboration with Library and Archives Canada, is being funded by both the municipal and federal governments.

It's expected to cost nearly $334 million, up from $192 million four years ago, with $27 million set aside for furniture, fixtures and other equipment.

It will have a heritage workshop dedicated to Library and Archives Canada with rare collections, a retail space, main floor café, a kitchen space on the fifth floor, a gift shop and of course thousands upon thousands of books.

Integrated solar panels on the building's exterior will generate about 10 per cent of the library's energy needs, while natural light and warm wood will bring "the feeling of nature inside the facility," Blasioli said. 

As Canada's trade war with the U.S. drags on, Coun. Riley Brockington wanted to know if a "buy Canadian" policy was in place for the library's furniture.

"As much as possible, we do want to buy Canadian," Blasioli told reporters later. "We're not allowed to limit or restrict bidders that are only Canadian, but we'll endeavour to look at those opportunities."

Another update on the the library's construction is scheduled for the fall.