June | 2020 | Building Projects

Project Update – VMC Library & VMC Express

Posted on June 25, 2020 by Denise | Tagged building projects, building update, city of vaughan, PwC Tower, vaughan metropolitan centre

PROGRESS UPDATE

On April 3, 2020, construction came to a halt at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) Library and VMC Express as per the Province’s directive in the fight of COVID-19. Since May 18, 2020, construction activities have resumed and contractors are back on site working in accordance with the required guidelines. Anticipated opening of the new facility is targeted for Winter 2021.

Credits: www.myvmc.ca

Library view east towards market place

Staircase to the 3rd floor visible from the children’s area.

Children’s area facing north

Carville-Block 11 Library is in the Works

Posted on June 25, 2020 by Denise | Tagged block 11, building projects, building update, carrville library, city of vaughan, community library, construction, new library, open to the public

A new library, community centre, and district park is coming to you, located between Dufferin and Bathurst streets near Major Mackenzie Drive (Carvville/Block 11). A multi-use community hub that will combine spaces for play, learning, fitness and sports.

BACKGROUND

The 2013 Active Together Master Plan (ATMP), an integrated long-term strategy that guides planning for parks, recreation, culture and library facilities, suggested a new neighbourhood size library for Block 11 residents. The 2018 Update to ATPM suggested that the new library be collocated within a new community centre and district park.

PROCESS

Perkins+Will Architects were hired in 2017 as the Functional Program Consultants for the Carrville Community Centre, Library and District Park project. The functional programming phase work to ensure that Vaughan Public Libraries’ and City of Vaughan’s requirements for the new facilities are integrated into the early design concepts and that the physical site and environmental conditions could support such requirements.

Perkins+Will Architects have been retained as the Detail Design Consultants for the Carrville Community Centre, Library and District Park project and have begun detailed design work for this new facility.

Site Plan

Exterior Perspective

Library + East Entry Porch

Library Design Drivers

Pool, Pool viewing and South Entry

Maple Library Renovation Project

Posted on June 25, 2020 by Denise | Tagged building projects, building update, community library, construction, Maple Library, vaughan public libraries

BACKGROUND

Monteith Brown Planning Consultants were hired to conduct the Maple Library Special Area Study and re-examine the need and role of Maple Library after the opening of CCRL Civic Centre Resource Library (CCRL) opened in May, 2016. Keep reading to find out what the analysis were!

MAPLE LIBRARY SPECIAL AREA STUDY SUMMARY

The Special Area Study took into considerations many different factors affecting the use of the branch including current demographics, future projections, industry trends, library usage and community feedback. The study collected stakeholder feedback via community survey and series of library user focus groups.

Monteith Brown Planning Consultants found that despite its proximity to CCRL, Maple Library serves a special and unique purpose for the community. We heard from you how co-location to the community centre is of high priority. 66% of survey respondents also indicated no change in their use of Maple Library since the opening of CCRL. Top three things that respondents valued most about Maple Library are: location (68%), staff/service (50%), and convenience of co-location with the Maple Community Centre (48%).

Based on assessment and feedback collected, the consultant’s recommendation for Vaughan Public Libraries (VPL) was to continue to operate Maple Library. The study recommended reducing the library’s current footprint of 13,000 sq. ft to a smaller size library of 7,500-8,500 sq. ft and to align the re-imagined library to VPL’s current facility service model. The study also suggested to improve library entrance, aesthetic improvements, comfort, enhanced children and study areas, as well as seamless technology and integrated accessibility features.

PROCESS

ATA Architects Inc. have been contracted to oversee planning and design for Maple Library face-lift! Check out the Maple Library renovation video and design concepts below

Floor Plan Concept

Main entrance to library

Marketplace

Children’s Area

Service Desk

Study Area – view south

Study Area – view north

Quiet Study Room

Inside Quiet Study Room

View of Reading Garden from Quiet Study Room

Reading Garden Access

Reading Garden

The Electronic Message Centre at Civic Centre Resource Library is here!

Posted on June 4, 2020 by Denise | Tagged building projects, building update, city of vaughan, civic centre, Civic Centre Resource Library, construction, decor, new, open to the public

External signage for Civic Centre Resource Library has begun! The approximately ten foot high pylon with electronic message centre in front of Civic Centre Resource Library on Major Mackenzie Drive has already been installed and will be operational soon. If you are driving by, you won’t miss it!

Also, watch out for more external signage coming next.