Major works to propel the Central Ballarat Library into the future are progressing, with attention now turning towards the fit-out stage of the $7.48 million redevelopment.
On Wednesday, City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Hudson and fellow Councillors were joined by Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison and Member for Eureka Michaela Settle for a tour of the construction site at the library.
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.
The works, being carried out by Ballarat company H Troon, will see the Ballarat library become a library of the future – a place that will inspire, surprise, and delight the community with a strong focus on fostering lifelong learning.
The redevelopment of the Ballarat Library includes an expansion of the second level of the building, a new entrance, purpose-built teaching areas, quiet areas, open space for socialisation, as well as specialised children’s and family areas.
As it stands, most of the internal demolition work has been completed at the library, with a new roof also installed.
The next stage of the redevelopment will focus on constructing the new facilities, which will completely transform the library.
Works are expected to be complete late in 2023 or early in 2024.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said it was exciting to see the project progressing.
“The library redevelopment is a major project for us that is going to have enormous benefit for the community,” he said.
“It really is going to be a library of the future and a real hive of activity.
“No longer are libraries quiet places just to read books, they are real community hubs. We cannot wait to see the final product.”
