Skip to main content

Sudbury mall wants to be new home for public library

Sudbury's downtown mall is vying to become the new home for the city’s main public library.

Greater Sudbury is discussing creating a cultural hub in Tom Davies Square, consisting of a multicultural centre, an art gallery and the library.

At one time, the library and gallery were part of a major new building project downtown, but soaring costs led city council to seek cheaper alternatives. A staff report on locating both in the hub at Tom Davies Square will be reviewed this week.

However, officials with Elm Place said they are hoping the mall’s vacant space will become home for the main branch of the library.

Vista Hospitality, which owns the mall, said it's an idea that's been on the table since 2017.

"Since February, we heard the city would be revisiting this project," said Samer Ghazi, Vista’s vice-president of asset management.

"We have the infrastructure, we have the space. It’s a vacant space.”

The project would cost roughly $19 million and take a little over a year, he said.

Elm Place also conducted market research, surveying 500 Sudburians. It was found that 65 per cent of respondents preferred Elm Place as the new library location instead of Tom Davies Square. (Amanda Hicks/CTV News)

Elm Place also conducted market research, surveying 500 Sudburians. It was found that 65 per cent of respondents preferred Elm Place as the new library location instead of Tom Davies Square.

Ward 7 Coun. Natalie Labbée said Elm Place would be a good spot for the library. She's concerned about the amount of parking at Tom Davies Square.

"Right now there's a lot of challenges with staff and people accessing Tom Davies Square for municipal services on a daily basis, and having a lack of free parking is a big concern of mine," Labbée said.

She said moving into the mall could also support local businesses in the area.

"Conceptually I feel the library in Elm Place would be a wonderful focal point for emphasizing the downtown core and sustaining those businesses," Labbée said.

Council is set to discuss the cultural hub during its meeting Tuesday. 

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Ontario doctors disciplined over Israel-Gaza protests

A number of doctors are facing scrutiny for publicizing their opinions on the Israel-Hamas war. Critics say expressing their political views could impact patient care, while others say that it is being used as an excuse for censorship.

'No concessions' St-Onge says in $100M a year news deal with Google

The Canadian government has reached a deal with Google over the Online News Act that will see the tech giant pay $100 million annually to publishers, and continue to allow access to Canadian news content on its platform. This comes after Google had threatened to block news on its platform when the contentious new rules come into effect next month.

Live updates

Live updates Hamas frees 10 Israeli women and children, 4 Thai nationals

Ten Israeli women and children and four Thai nationals held captive in Gaza were freed by Hamas, and Israel followed with the release of a group of Palestinian prisoners Thursday. It was the latest exchange of hostages for prisoners under a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza war. Two Russian-Israeli women were also freed by Hamas in a separate release.

opinion

opinion Don Martin: With Trudeau resignation fever rising, a Conservative nightmare appears

With speculation rising that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will follow his father's footsteps in the snow to a pre-election resignation, political columnist Don Martin focuses on one Liberal cabinet minister who's emerging as leadership material -- and who stands out as a fresh-faced contrast to the often 'angry and abrasive' leader of the Conservatives.

Stay Connected