City finance committee approves $65M more for new library
City councillors have unanimously approved spending an extra $65 million in city money on Ottawa’s new super library project at LeBreton Flats.
The finance and economic development committee voted 10-0 for the additional spending, which city staff say is necessary due to construction inflation.
The joint project with Library and Archives Canada, named Adisoke, is now expected to cost $306 million, up from an estimated $175 million price tag in 2018.
That’s not including the cost of a 200-spot underground parking garage, which has increased to $28 million, $10 million more than originally estimated.
In urging councillors to approve the spending Tuesday, Mayor Jim Watson said the city only knows the real cost of such projects once the tenders come in. The lowest bid, from PCL Construction, came in at $334 million.
“To suggest this is a cost overrun is not true. This is obviously costing additional dollars … but we’ve also been told the legitimate reasons why this is taking place,” he said.
The city included a contingency for 10 per cent escalation in 2018, but construction costs have inflated by 65 per cent, according to the staff report.
“Delaying major infrastructure investments only ends up costing us a lot more later on,” Watson added. “City-building projects are always costly, and they’re not always easy.”
The federal treasury board has already approved funding for its half of the project.
The library is also now scheduled to reopen in mid-2026 instead of 2025.
Council will vote on the budget increase on Oct. 27.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it's too late
Christine Roess is a retired consultant. Ezra Bozeman has spent the last 49 years in prison, serving a life sentence for a murder he says he didn’t commit. Against the odds, the two fell in love.