Renovation of future archives site to start soon

Construction is about to start on a project that will turn the historic Carnegie Library into a new home for the City of Winnipeg’s irreplaceable archives.

The city said work at the 380 William Ave. site will start this month. The space had previously held the archives until flooding from a rainstorm forced them to be moved in 2013. The archives then moved to a leased space at 50 Myrtle St.

The renovation project is expected to cost about $23 million and be completed in 2027.

The building itself was Winnipeg’s first public library, which opened 120 years ago.

When the construction is completed, the facility will include a climate-controlled storage vault, along with space for public programs, research and reconciliation activities, such as smudging, ceremonies and displays.