After 20 years of fits and starts, approvals and renegings, several different proposals and at least three business cases, the ground was finally broken for the new main library project, which is at the heart of the Baker District Redevelopment. On the recently cleared ground of what was once the Baker Street parking lot, councillors, City senior leadership, and library board and staff members stuck their ceremonial shovels in the ground to start the project. For real.

“This day signifies the beginning of a new chapter in our city’s rich cultural heritage as we embark on a remarkable journey to create the next library space that will inspire educate and uplift our community for generations to come,” said Guelph Public Library CEO Steve Kraft. “So right now, for those of you who can’t believe this is actually happening, now is the time to pinch yourself. Pinch yourself hard, okay. Take a pic, a selfie and social media the hell out of it!”

Over 150 people came out to pinch themselves, or else just see with their own eyes that this was happening. The groundbreaking itself was actually the second ceremony to take place on the old Baker lot that morning, a sunrise ceremony led by representatives from the local Indigenous communities took place to “acknowledge, honour and reflect with all of our relations, ancestors past and those who faces we have yet to see,” Kraft added.

There were many faces who didn’t think they would see this day, with investigations into the construction of new main library building going back before the turn of the century. This project, as it’s been approved by council, will see the library built for a $62 million budget, plus nearly $16 million for an underground parking structure, $2.6 million for a public square, and $6.4 million for right of way reconstruction.

The costs of the project has dogged it for years, even through last fall’s municipal election, but on Tuesday there was a call to move on. “So the debate of the cost of the library is behind us,” said Mayor Cam Guthrie, who voted against the project, in part, because of the cost.

“One of the things you’ve probably heard me say at my State of the City address is about turning an underperforming asset into a performing asset,” Guthrie explained. “This used to be a parking lot, and now look at what it’s going to be for our community. I can think of a day like today where there’s going to be benches and people gathering outside and enjoying the weather.”

Guthrie said that he’s especially excited about having a main library building that will have enhanced accessibility features when compared to the current building, and how there will be room for the City of Guelph’s archives to ensure the preservation of local history. “I just want to say thank you, and on behalf of Council, this is a good day. Let’s celebrate it properly, and really cheer this on right to the ribbon cutting whenever that is, hopefully sooner than later.”

On Monday at the Guelph Public Library Board of Directors meeting, project manager Rupinder Chatha said that it would take three years to complete the library since much of the first year will focus on the parking structure, which will be directly under the library.

“With improved accessibility larger collections, functional areas for training and support, formal and casual meeting space areas, the new library will offer access to all community members and greater flexibility to adapt for future generations,” said current Library board chair Randalin Ellery. “It will ensure increase opportunities for leading edge creativity, collaboration, innovation and strong community connections.”

Guelph’s Chief Administrative Officer Scott Stewart took time to look at the big picture by noting that this was latest piece of the City’s redevelopment plans for downtown and arguably the most important piece. He also credited the the co-operation of staff at City Hall and the library for not just finally shepherding this project to the groundbreaking, but for weathering all the challenges.

“This is a win-win for all of us. This new district will provide benefits to our community now in the future, and it’s not that often that we get to have these projects in the north part of the downtown,” Stewart said. “If you just looked at the geography of the downtown, we’ve been doing lots as you come through downtown but here we are in the north end that has needed some attention, and boy, gosh, it’s getting some attention today!”

You can watch the full video of the event below: