The Barrie Public Library is opening a new page at its downtown branch.
The City of Barrie is repairing and refreshing what it calls the 'hardscape' around the full perimeter of the building at 60 Worsley St.
The branch and John Edwin Coupe Park, which is the green space adjacent to the library, are fenced for landscaping work and a project that includes underground drainage, civil works, electrical upgrades and modifications, tree removal and planting, irrigation, new pavers, bike racks, and benches.
The existing landscaping of both the park and the library was in a severe state of disrepair and needing a much-needed replacement, according to city staff.
The combined budget for the project is $1.455 million, with $750,000 being supplemented with a Canada Community Revitalization Fund government grant.
Metal fencing has been installed around the full perimeter of John Edwin Coupe Park, along Worsley Street and up Owen Street to the front of the library.
The library has been and will remain open for the duration of this project, with full service still available.
The only way to enter the building is through the covered walkway on Owen Street. Accessible parking spaces are available in the parking lot behind the library on McDonald Street.
Work is expected to finish in mid-October.
For local history buffs, John Edwin Coupe died in 1957 and left his estate to be applied at the discretion of his trustee to certain charitable objects beneficial to the community. He gave permission for his trustee to transfer assets from his estate to the City of Barrie, to be held and invested so that the income and principal could be used as an endowment fund for the charitable initiative.
An agreement was struck between the city and the trustee in 1997, such that a portion of the funds would be used for the construction of a park next to the library. Part of the agreement stipulated that the park be named after its benefactor.
The downtown branch of the Barrie Public Library was constructed in 1996, and the design had proposed a green space on the west side of the library for stormwater management.
