Pitched originally as a simple extension to the library in order to provide more space for homework clubs and other group activities within the library, the Annie Laurie Wood Annex is now being envisioned as part of something bigger, both physically and metaphorically. Chief librarian Tina Nielsen told council this week that by building a larger space in conjunction with the Bowen Island Arts Council, the extension could become the cultural corner of the Cove.
“We’re calling it C-cubed, Cove Culture Corner,” said Nielsen. “It will enliven the entrance to our island with a sense of culture, learning, connection and conversation.”
When Nielsen asked for council’s support on the original project back in April, Mayor Jack Adelaar expressed some hesitation based on the idea that the library might find a new home alongside other public amenities in a community centre.
At the time, Nielsen said while she liked the idea of the library being part of a shared community space, a simple expansion to the library would happen more quickly and more cost effectively than a whole new building.
Nielsen said that shortly after proposing the Annex idea publicly, the Library and Arts Council were approached by members of the public who suggested expanding the initial plans to allow the two organizations to share a building in Snug Cove.
“At first we couldn’t see how we could make it fit,” Nielsen said. “But we realized we could actually do a larger project, one joint building with two parts to it. One part will be for the library, with the same planned uses as before, and the other part will be a gallery and office space for the Arts Council. It will give the Arts Council a more permanent home, in the Cove.”
The projected size of the new space is somewhere between 2,500 and 3,000 square feet. Nielsen said that while the design is far from finalized, ideally, the two separate spaces could have multiple uses and potentially open up to each other.
“But that’s a job for the designers,” she said.
The one potential drawback she warned council of is that the extension would block off access between the parking lot behind the library and Cardena Road.
While council had a few questions about the evolution of the project, all members stated their support and the belief that such an expansion was a positive step in the revitalization of Snug Cove.
Later in the same meeting, Council decided against one of the proposed plans for coping with the mid-life re-fit of the Queen of Capilano which involved buses exiting by way of a through-way made through the back parking lot of the library in to the main lot.
Conversely, council approved of a plan put forward by councillor Tim Rhodes to expand the current library parking lot to the west to include an area where cars could pick-up and drop-off walk on ferry passengers, turn around and exit on to Bowen Island Trunk Road.
