With the grand opening of the new Hillsburgh library on June 16, Wellington County has completed the library system revitalization started in 2000.
The county spent over $30 million renovating and rebuilding 14 libraries across the county, of which five are original Carnegie libraries.
During the grand opening in Hillsburgh, several dignitaries spoke of the process as a circle.
The process started in 2000 with the building of the Erin library in Centre 2000 and ended back in the Town of Erin with the new Hillsburgh library.
In October 2016, the county announced it would be relocating the Hillsburgh library from leased space on Trafalgar Road to the new property on Station Street. The property included a 1890s farmhouse along with the adjacent property and pond.
“One hundred and fifteen years ago this site was a major hub in the village of Hillsburgh,” said Erin Mayor Allan Alls.
“Today we are witnessing a renaissance of the revitalization of history in our area. This redevelopment has breathed new life into this home and into Hillsburgh itself.”
Senator Rob Black, who once chaired the county library board, called the new library the “last jewel” at the groundbreaking in March 2017 and reiterated his comments at the grand opening.
“Public libraries meet the changing needs of communities in which they live, they serve. It is well known that libraries are a community hub and this will be no different for the citizens here in Hillsburgh and certainly Wellington County,” he said.
“This project is absolutely a visionary undertaking of the Wellington County council, the library board and library staff.”
Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong and MPP Ted Arnott both congratulated the county on its newest asset.
“The County of Wellington should be commended for this crowning achievement here in Hillsburgh,” said Chong.
Arnott said, “Open and accessible for all, our libraries will continue to be centres of culture and community and the County of Wellington once again has raised the bar.”
Hillsburgh upgrades
The new library is much larger than the former Hillsburgh branch. It now sits at over 9,900 square feet and is one of the largest in the county.
The original 1890s home is still a significant part of the library. The second floor of the home was ripped out, leaving two story ceilings for the children’s area.
The adult collection is situated in the new portion of the library, which has floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the property and pond. On the lower level, there is a multi-purpose room and a commercial kitchen available for rent.
Library legacy
Wellington County has spent over $30 million since 2000 (not adjusted to today’s dollars) to renovate and rebuild its 14 libraries.
The final cost has not yet been calculated for the Hillsburgh library, but it is expected to fall close to the budget of $5,025,000, said county financial analyst Cathy Butcher.
The other projects are:
– Erin (Centre 2000), built in 2000, 4,500 square feet, $437,300. It was further renovated in 2012 at a cost of $66,905;
– Marden, 2002, 5,000ft2, $608,692;
– Clifford, 2006, 5,000ft2, $1,246,156;
– Elora, renovated in 2009, 4,518ft2, $1,202,659;
– Arthur, 2009, 5,000ft2, $2,988,779;
– Drayton, 2009, 7,000ft2, $2,710,017;
– Mount Forest, renovated in 2010, 7,328ft2, $1,620,557;
– Puslinch, 2011, 5,800ft2, $1,985,321;
– Harriston, renovated in 2012, 12,579ft2, $3,169,996;
– Fergus, renovated in 2016, 15,000ft2, $5,026,667;
– Palmerston, renovated in 2016, 7,000ft2, $3,517,868; and
– Aboyne, renovated in 2017, 5,300ft2, $940,196.
