New central library, community centre projects approved by Guelph council

Guelph city council voted Wednesday in favour of moving ahead with two city-building projects: a new central library and a community centre in the south end.

Council voted eight to five in favour of the Baker District alternative option, eight to five in favour of the construction of an 88,000-square-foot library, and 12 to one in support of the new community centre in the city's south end.

"Investing in Baker District and the South End Community Centre is about building our future and responding to Guelph's growing and changing social, economic and environmental needs," the city's chief administrative officer Scott Stewart said in a release. 

"[The] decisions position our city to be future ready. That is building strong, vibrant, safe and healthy communities that foster resilience in the people who live here."

In a news release the city said the Baker District is expected to create a renewed area of activity, commerce and civic space for the local community.

Anchored by a new central Guelph Public Library at the south end of the site, the district, bordered by Baker Street, Chapel Lane and Wyndham Street N., is expected to feature outdoor urban squares, residential units, commercial and institutional space and public parking. 

Projects estimated to cost more than $100M

It's estimated it will cost $80 million to build the new 165,000-square-foot community centre, with 85 per cent covered by development charges and the balance funded through taxes.

Capital costs for Baker District are estimated to be between $84.2 million and $89.2 million, including up to $62 million for the library. 

The capital costs will be funded within the city's current base capital funding for infrastructure renewal, contaminated sites, and growth. However, the library service enhancement component of $19.7 million will be funded by a tax levy of up to 0.39 per cent to be phased in over three years, starting in 2021 and remaining in place for 21 years.

The district is being developed as a One Planet Living community, which means it will focus on sustainable living.

"As a landmark city-building initiative, the Baker District redevelopment further revitalizes our downtown and — by extension — improves our entire city's economic and social prosperity," deputy CAO infrastructure, development and enterprise services Kealy Dedman said. 

"This means more people living downtown and contributing to the city's tax base to fund municipal programs and services; more jobs due to an increase in demand for retail and commercial services; an increase in retail spending for current and new businesses; and more people visiting and learning downtown — contributing to a vibrant and healthy downtown."

Guelph projecting employment base of 116,000 jobs by 2051

The projects also contribute to Guelph's growth target: a population of 203,000 people and an employment base of 116,000 jobs by 2051. 

The city's official plan earmarks Guelph's downtown to achieve a density target of 150 people and jobs combined per hectare by 2031, and to be a focus for high density employment, residential development, public infrastructure and services, and multi-modal transportation.

"Connected, resilient and healthy communities depend on community spaces that promote recreation and social gathering," deputy CAO Public Services Colleen Clack-Bush said.

"The South End Community Centre supports that need and also addresses immediate and future recreation demand and gaps throughout the city."