Bill and Helen Norrie Library
About this project
A new library for the River Heights area was identified as a priority in the Grant Park Recreation Campus Plan and the Library Redevelopment Plan.
The new library will better meet the needs of the community with a fully accessible public space, more parking, proximity to public transportation, tutorial and programming rooms, improved study and leisure areas, and an outdoor reading and programming area.
The new library is approximately 14,000 square feet. Construction began in fall 2019.
The River Heights Library at 1520 Corydon Ave closed permanently on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at 5 pm.
The new Bill and Helen Norrie Library at 15 Poseidon Bay opened Monday, March 29, 2021.
- Updates
- Design
- Engage
- Timeline
- Background
- Documents
- FAQs
- Maps
- Related Links
Updates
August 2019
The public engagement summary is now available, including a feedback table with responses to what we heard from the public. The final design is also available. Construction is anticipated to begin in fall 2019, with an anticipated completion date in late 2020.
May 2019
Thank you to over 70 residents who attended the Bill and Helen Norrie Library information session on May 1 and to over 140 participants who provided feedback through a survey. The feedback will be summarized and considered in developing the final design for the Bill and Helen Norrie Library.
April 2019
The proposed design for the Bill and Helen Norrie Library are now available. Provide your feedback online or attend the upcoming information session on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. More information is available on the Engage tab.
March 2021
The new Bill and Helen Norrie Library opens to the public on March 29.
Design
Final Design
The complete list of design documents is now available on the Materials Management page for this project.
Drawing A0.1
Download a copy of this drawing
Drawing A9.1
Engage
The final design is now available and responds to the feedback provided by the community during the engagement phase. A summary of what we heard can be found in the Documents tab along with responses to feedback from the community. Those who subscribed for updates will receive an email with a link to the summary.
The proposed design is based on feedback received as part of the Grant Park Campus Plan & Feasibility study, developed in 2017.The feedback gathered during the planning process was used to develop a proposed design that meets the needs of the community.
We asked for the community's feedback to ensure the library will meet their needs and serve as a valuable asset to the area. Thank you to those who provided feedback the survey (available online from April 17 to May 17, 2019) and attended the information session on May 1.
If you would like to stay updated on City of Winnipeg public engagement events, follow the City on Facebook and Twitter or subscribe to the City of Winnipeg public engagement newsletter.
Background
The River Heights library was built in 1961. The library is 8,285 sq. ft. In 2011, a structural issue was identified within the branch. Major work required includes structural deterioration issues, improving accessibility, lighting and flooring. The River Heights Library is a two floor library with the children's department in the basement and no elevator access.
The City's Library Redevelopment Strategy makes clear that the need for a modernized library to serve the River Heights/Grant Park neighbourhood is a priority.
The Grant Park Campus Plan & Feasibility study was completed in 2017. Through public engagement, data collection, and discussions with stakeholders, the Grant Park Recreation Campus Planning team determined that a new library on the Grant Park campus, located at the corner of Grant Avenue and Cambridge Street will better meet the needs of the community with a fully accessible public space, proximity to public transportation, more parking, tutorial and programming rooms, improved study and leisure areas, and an outdoor reading and programming area.
In 2018, the future library was named the Bill and Helen Norrie Library, after former Mayor Bill Norrie and teacher and librarian Helen Norrie.
In the 2018 capital budget, funding was included to design a new library with projected funding in 2019 to construct the library.
Documents
| Document Name | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Final design - building and grounds | 2019-08-22 | Design |
| Final design - building and interior | 2019-08-22 | Design |
| Public engagement summary | 2019-08-22 | Report |
| Public engagement summary appendices | 2019-08-22 | Report |
| Information session boards | 2019-04-17 | Storyboards |
| Proposed design | 2019-04-17 | Design |
| News release | 2019-04-17 | Communications |
| Poster | 2019-04-17 | Advertisement |
| Canstar ad | 2019-04-17 | Advertisement |
| Sod Turning | 2019-10-29 | Advertisement |
| News release | 2019-10-29 | Communications | News release | 2021-03-29 | Communications |
| Time-lapse video of Construction | 2021-03-29 | video |
| Video of Helen Norrie site announcement | 2018-07-18 | video |
Frequently Asked Questions
A new library for the River Heights area was identified as a priority in the Grant Park Recreation Campus Plan and the Library Redevelopment Plan. The new library, located at 15 Poseidon Bay, replaces the existing River Heights Library and will better meet the needs of the community with a fully accessible space, more parking, proximity to public transportation, tutorial and programming rooms, improved study and leisure areas, and an outdoor reading and programming area.
To better meet the needs of the community, the new library offers a fully accessible public space located on a single floor layout, two tutorial and one programming rooms, improved study and leisure areas including a double-sided gas fireplace, children's area with three reading nook playhouses and a Family Literacy playground, outdoor deck and patio, two moss feature walls on the interior from local company Verde Plan Designs, a non-gendered universal washroom, and a 24/7 book return.
The cost of this library was $9.3 million The funding for the construction of the new library was included in the City's 2019 project capital budget.
The library will be located at the corner of Grant Avenue and Cambridge Street on the Grant Park campus.
This location was selected to fit with the surrounding neighbourhood and services and serve the greatest number of residents in a convenient location.
The City consulted with Rooster Town families to determine how best to move forward with the Grant Park Recreation space in a way that respects and honours the history of this place and those who lived in Rooster Town.
Recognition of the history of the site will be recognized through:
- Display of recorded images of photos of Rooster Town
- Collection of artifacts and books
- Listening station of interviews and recordings from Rooster Town
- Saskatoon berry glass wall designs and lighting features
- Steel and wood materials to reflect Rooster Town home
The new Bill and Helen Norrie library will open Monday, March 29, 2021.
Maps
Map of library - from consultant
Map of floor plan - from consultant
Related Links
Grant Park Recreation Campus Plan.
For information on the Library Redevelopment Strategy, please see Library Redevelopment Strategy
