Thompson-Nicola Regional District board members will get a first look at a proposal for a new library in Kamloops at a committee meeting tomorrow.
Chief Administrative Officer Scott Hildebrand says the 24,700 square foot library would be built at the parking lot on Hillside Drive, across from Aberdeen Mall, making it the largest library branch in Kamloops.
An adjacent building on the same property would also have close to 6,000 square feet of retail space.
“This was first discussed over a year ago, I think back in February of 2020, and the direction from the board at that time was to go and start to explore the possibility of a new library and a potential site, and that’s what we’ve gone and done,” Hildebrand said.
While Kamloops already has libraries downtown and on the North Shore, Hildebrand says a third will be needed. The North Shore library is about 19,000 square feet while the downtown branch is about 20,000 square feet.
“We really think that location checks a lot of boxes. With accessibility, with public transportation, lights and turn lanes, central location and great visibility, great population density. And a good difference from the other libraries as well. We think we’ve found a good spot and hopefully it comes to fruition,” Hildebrand added.
The vision, Hildebrand says, is for a retail business like a coffee shop to move in on the new library property, similar to the downtown branch. There will also be condo units above the ground food, similar to the North Shore library.
The TNRD considered nine properties in Sahali and Aberdeen for this new library. So far, the Hillside Way site has been deemed most feasible. A report from the regional district noted the southwest sector of Kamloops is expected to see more than 43 per cent of population growth over the next 20 years, according to KAMPLAN.
A potential cost for the library is not yet known, but the TNRD will be looking at grant funding as well.
Board members will be asked to give direction to staff tomorrow on planning for this new library.
(Photo: TNRD)
