Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre - Haldimand County

Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre

Project Summary

In 2021, as part of the County’s planned replacement of the Hagersville Public Library—and in recognition of the need for more accessible public spaces, given the County’s considerable planned growth—Council approved an initiative in the Tax-Supported Capital Budget to construct a co-located Library and Active Living Centre in Hagersville. As part of this approval, the staff were authorized to initiate a community capital fund-raising campaign and proceed with community consultations and associated activities to support the construction of this new multi-purpose facility.

Hagersville has been identified as the second-fastest-growing urban community in Haldimand County and has a shortage of accessible public buildings for recreation, leisure and community socialization.

The town’s 100+-year-old Hagersville Community Centre had considerable challenges in terms of accessibility and functionality. Operated most recently by the Hagersville Chamber of Commerce, the Community Centre was sold in 2022, with proceeds donated to the new Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre (HL+ALC). The existing Hagersville Public Library, while enjoyed by residents since 1945, is limited in terms of accessibility, programming, services and parking.

The new, integrated HL+ALC will be located in Hagersville’s Grant Kett Park, a large, downtown green space which already includes the Arena, three ball diamonds, a concession building, playground and a natural amphitheatre used for community events.

Community fund-raising and consultation has taken place the past two years (2021, 2022). In February 2023, the design contract for the project was awarded to the firm of Curran, Gacesa, Slote Architects Inc. (CGS).

At this time, staff and are eager to share the latest design vision for the HL+ALC based upon stakeholder engagement and consultation. Two public consultation sessions are planned on Wednesday, May 17; 1:30-3:00 pm and 6;30-9:00 p.m. in the Almas Room of the Hagersville Arena (36 Sherring Street North).

Design and engineering will continue until the end of 2023, with an expected construction start date of 2024.

Hagersville Library + ALC Concept
Hagersville Library + ALC Functional Floor Plan

Get Involved

Community feedback has been critical to the development of this project. Let us know what you think!

Throughout 2021 and 2022, staff organized several in-person community open houses, encouraging residents and potential users to provide input into the design and functionality of the new facility, and met with many stakeholder groups and potential users. As well, residents had an opportunity to provide feedback at public information centres at the Hagersville Arena and Hagersville Public Library for three months in 2022. Input and suggestions could also be provided at any time through the project’s dedicated web page and associated email address (under Contact Information).

Project Status

Fall 2021:

  • Community Open House is arranged to share preliminary information about the project and potential design.

Summer 2021:

  • Hagersville Chamber of Commerce initiates process to list and sell the Hagersville Community Centre, with all proceeds to the new facility; and,
  • Plans for the Community Fund-Raising Campaign are initiated.

December 2021:

  • 2021 community consultation/input results in the Active Living Centre design incorporating three pickle ball courts.

January 2022:

  • Hagersville Chamber of Commerce closes sale of the Hagersville Community Centre; proceeds are provided to Haldimand County towards the Library + Active Living Centre Project

Spring/Summer 2022:

  • Public information centres are placed at the Hagersville Arena and Hagersville Public Library, allowing the community an additional opportunity to provide feedback and/or input into the proposed design.

Fall 2022:

  • Staff prepare Request for Proposal for architectural and engineering consulting services for the project. Tender is released November 22, 2022.

February 2023:

  • Design contract for the project is awarded to Curran, Gacesa, Slote Architects Inc. (CGS). Work begins immediately to finalize the detailed design and engineering—including a final round of public consultation—which will become part of the tender for the construction of the facility, anticipated to be released in the latter part of 2023.

May 2023:

  • Two public consultation sessions are arranged for Wednesday, May 17, 2023—1:30-3:00 pm and 6;30-9:00 pm—in the Almas Room of the Hagersville Arena (36 Sherring Street North).

Timeline

February 2023:

  • Design/engineering contract is awarded to Curran, Gacesa, Slote Architects Inc. (CGS)

May 2023:

  • Final round of in-person community consultation.

Summer/Fall 2023:

  • Creation of final detailed design and engineering and the tender document for the construction of the project.

Late 2023:

  • Release of construction tender.

2024:

  • Construction start.

Contact Information

For more information on the Hagersville Library + Active Living Centre, contact:

Community Development & Partnerships