Sechelt’s municipal hall is a nod to its nautical past but what about the future?
District of Sechelt is posing the question to the community: what do they want for the future of Sechelt Library and municipal hall? Should the hall stay as it is or should it expand?
At least a million dollars’ worth of repairs are needed for the building envelope of the 30-year-old building, which one former staffer described as part of the “leaky condo era” of construction in B.C. –– the distinctive lighthouse tower has been closed to the public for several years because of leaks.
“Our goal is to avoid costly repairs that would later need to be removed or altered if council and the community decides to expand the library and the building,” said Julie Maerz, Sechelt’s manager of capital projects for the District of Sechelt.
“Now is the time to re-imagine the space to better serve the needs of the growing community. Community engagement will help ensure that all needs are considered,” says District of Sechelt.
For the library, which shares the building with municipal hall, the needs, services and space required today are vastly different from when the library was built, says director Leianne Emery.
“A recent assessment determined that the library required an expansion of 237 percent to bring it up to a minimum requirement for a service population of our size at 21,000 (DOS, sNGD, Roberts Creek, Halfmoon Bay, Egmont/Pender). There are many options on the table, expand the existing building, build new, lease and many others,” said Emery in a press release.
Drop-in engagement sessions are coming up this week: Friday, June 6 at the Sechelt Library community room, 3 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, June 7 at the Sechelt Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
People can also fill out an online survey, open to June 20, at yoursaysechelt.ca/municipal-hall-renovations, where they can also find more information about the project.
“This is a chance for residents to help shape what’s next. We’re listening to the community first, to inform decisions being made and to ensure our growing community is considered for future development of this key community building,” said Maerz.
