FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Prince George, B.C. – The City of Prince George advises residents to obey all signage and be mindful of road and sidewalk closures surrounding the Bob Harkins branch of the Prince George Public Library as work to remove the existing skylight begins today.
The skylight was installed in the 1980s and has reached the end of its service life as it leaks and causes internal problems for the library. The City has exhausted all options for repair and determined that a replacement is necessary before another winter season. It is estimated that the lifespan of the new infrastructure will be 30 to 40 years.
In May, Council approved a budget increase of $250,000 bringing the total project budget to $1.125 million. In the report, Council heard that the increased cost is due to rising material costs and the complexity of the project. The project is made possible in part thanks to a Canada Community-Building Fund grant of $900,000. The remaining $225,000 is funded through the City’s General Infrastructure Reinvestment Fund.
It’s anticipated that the library will remain open during regular hours during the project, however minimal disruptions to service are expected. Crews will make every effort to schedule work around library events and programs and will communicate any closures well in advance. Safety of the public, library staff, and project team is a priority.
“The skylight at the Bob Harkins Branch has developed leaks that pose a real risk to our facility, and to our collection every time it rains. We are incredibly grateful to the City of Prince George for acting quickly to support this essential renovation. This project will ensure a safer, more comfortable, and more welcoming experience for everyone in our community” said Library Director, Paul Burry.
During construction, residents are urged to respect the work zone and obey all project signage. The project is expected to be completed by late October.
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Media contact:
Kendall Robertson, senior communications advisor
Mobile: 778-349-5393
Email: media@princegeorge.ca