The federal government is providing $5.4 million to build a new library in Pelham, near St. Catharines.
“Investing in community and recreational infrastructure is essential to creating communities that are welcoming, inclusive, and sustainable. Today’s announcement for the new Pelham library will ensure that all residents have access to a modern facility where they can safely connect and learn for many years to come,” Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey said in a statement.
The new 18,000 sq. ft. zero-carbon library will be built near the town’s existing community centre. The new three-story facility will include accessibility features and green energy and climate resiliency components, such as solar panels, glazing, and abundant natural lighting.
Once complete, the new library will serve as a community hub where residents can come together and learn.
St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle says funding will help “achieve our goal of reaching zero emissions by 2050.” said Chris Bittle, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Member of Parliament for St. Catharines.
The building will replace a facility that has aged badly, according to town officials.
In total, the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program will provide $5.4 million to community construction projects.
Funding for the Pelham library is conditional on fulfilling all requirements related to consultation with Indigenous communities and environmental assessment. Funding for this project is also conditional on the signing of the contribution agreement.
Provincial/territorial governments, municipal or regional governments, public sector bodies, not-for-profit, and Indigenous organizations can apply to the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program are invited to apply on the Infrastructure Canada website.
Applicants with large retrofit projects to existing community buildings or new community building projects with total eligible costs ranging from $3 million to $25 million were accepted through a competitive intake process which closed on July 6, 2021. A second intake is anticipated later in 2022, however, the date has not yet been determined. Details about the second intake will be published to the Infrastructure Canada – Green and Inclusive Community Buildings’ website as soon as they become available.
Small and medium retrofit projects to existing community buildings ranging in total eligible cost from $100,000 to $2,999,999 will be accepted and funded on a rolling intake basis.