The current Sooke library is too small to serve the community according to minimum size standards (see our Consolidated Facilities Master Plan). Sooke is a growing and vibrant community and the library should reflect Sooke’s current and future state. The existing facility is too old, too small, and far too limited to offer Sooke residents the library experience they deserve. It is also a rented space, which hampers our ability to make meaningful updates to it.

The site of the new library on Wadams Way allows us to build and own a state-of-the-art facility that better reflects the growth and development projections of the District. It also means we have control over how the space is managed, maintained, and enhanced over the years.

Construction is underway. We anticipate the branch opening to the public in spring 2022.

With a Capital Project of this size and complexity, there are many moving parts and milestones that need to be reached. District of Sooke staff worked with VIRL to find the right location, design the right building, and the set the project up for success.

All parties were committed to the project and to moving it forward as quickly as possible.

Once built, Sooke will have a state-of-the-art library with the following features and amenities:

• 13,412 square feet will offer a diverse collection, multiuse spaces, and more
• Iconic circular design will become a cornerstone of the community
• Exciting opening day collection curated for the community
• Increased staffing
• Expanded hours of operation
• Expanded program schedule
• Vibrant children’s area
• Fireplace lounge area
• Laptop bar
• Study space
• Bookable rooms

The unique and iconic circular design will ensure the library is marquee community amenity.

The new library also contains a number of sustainability features to help minimize its impact on the environment, including:

• Alignment with the Wood First Initiative, which sources local, sustainably procured wood
• Inclusion of an electric vehicle charging station and provisions for future solar energy integration
• A solar shading device to prevent solar heat in summer and allow heat gain in winter
• Installation of energy efficient LED light fixtures
• A tubular daylighting system that introduces natural light into the space without the glare of conventional skylights
• Marmoleum flooring, which contains an average of 97% natural raw materials (72% are renewable) and is 100% biodegradable
• Flotex floor tiles which contain up to 52% recycled content
• Rooftop rainwater capture and rock pit absorbs water instead of releasing into drainage system
• Runoff water is captured and filtered through a bioswale

We are hoping to keep the current library open for the duration of the construction. There will likely be a period of time, as materials are shipped from the old to the new branch, where no in-branch services will be available. All efforts will be made to perform these tasks as quickly as possible to minimize disruptions to library service.

The circular design is the vision of the talented architects at HDR, a firm with extensive experience designing libraries, academic buildings, community centres, health facilities, and more.

The budget of $7.5 million includes the cost of construction, furnishings, technology infrastructure, and site preparation. Funding was secured through a loan from the Municipal Finance Authority to the Capital Regional District who transferred the borrowing proceeds to VIRL. Because VIRL is a regional system with a pooled budget, the costs of the new library will be shared by member jurisdictions rather than paid for by Sooke taxpayers alone through their regional district contribution.

Because the new library is being built on a new site, we do not anticipate a temporary library being required, but we will keep you apprised if the need arises.

VIRL staff will continue to update this FAQ with new information as it becomes available. For more information about VIRL building projects, visit the Capital Projects page. If you have any questions about the new Sooke branch, or have any suggestions or concerns, please contact the Library Manager at pmaguire@virl.bc.ca.

• Tuesday, June 11, 2019 – Sooke Library Update
• September 17, 2018 – Sooke library update
• Construction begins on Sooke Library
• Work begins on Sooke Library