The countdown is on until major redevelopment works at the Ballarat Library are complete.
In what will be a significant milestone for the $7.48 million project, it is expected that contractors H Troon will hand the facility over to the City of Ballarat in December 2023.
Once this occurs, work will begin to start moving all necessary equipment and approximately 75,000 library resources back into the Doveton Street facility.
It is expected the central library will reopen to the public in March 2024.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said it was an exciting time for one of the city’s most eagerly awaited projects.
“In just a few months now we will be able to open the doors to the community and have people flooding back to the Ballarat Library,” he said.
“This is an incredibly exciting project, one at the heart of our commitment to delivering a better Ballarat, that will transform the old building into a contemporary library and community facility.
“You can really get a sense now of how everything is going to come together and what the finished product will be.”
The entirety of the structural work has now been complete at the library, with only the final additions remaining before the facility is handed back to the City of Ballarat.
The final remaining works to be carried out include minor flooring and painting.
The project is the library’s first major redevelopment and expansion since 1993.
The redevelopment includes refurbishing the second level of the building for library and community program use, a new entrance, purpose-built teaching areas, quiet areas, open space for socialisation, and specialised children’s and family areas.
One particular highlight will be the story dome in the children’s library. With tiered seating, this area will make story time a real event. A dedicated parents’ room adjoining the children’s library will make this a comfortable place for families and carers.
The upstairs maker space is a new addition to the library. Dedicated to learning through experimentation and play, the community will be able to use equipment including 3D printers, sewing machines and digitisation equipment – all designed to enhance learning for life.
A dedicated Youth and Community Space is also a new addition to the refurbished library. Located on the first floor, this includes a community kitchen for cookery and life skills classes, gaming consoles and plenty of flexible space for study and recreation.
The temporary Ballarat Library at Town Hall will continue to operate until the Doveton Street facility is opened to the public and continues to average approximately 1100 visits per week.
The City of Ballarat is contributing $6.98 million to the project, with the State Government contributing $500,000 from the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program.
