Brampton’s Chinguacousy Branch Prepares for Relocation to Smaller Ski Chalet

Brampton Library’s Chinguacousy Branch, known as the city’s largest and busiest library, is gearing up for a significant change as it prepares to move from its current location to a smaller space. The library recently announced on Twitter that operations at the Chinguacousy Branch situated at 150 Central Park Dr. will begin winding down this weekend, starting on Saturday, July 2.

The closure will impact the entire second floor of the branch, including the popular makerspace. However, patrons can still access pick-ups and holds on the first floor, while study spaces and computers will also remain available for public use, at least for the time being.

This transition is a direct result of a council decision to gift the Bramalea Civic Center, where the Chinguacousy Branch is currently housed, to Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) for the establishment of a new nursing school. As a consequence, the library is being relocated to the Mount Chinguacousy ski chalet, a smaller space spanning approximately 17,000 square feet. This marks a significant reduction in size compared to the current Chinguacousy branch, which boasts over 30,000 square feet of space.

To compound the spatial limitations, the library will share the ski chalet with ski operations staff, further reducing the library’s footprint to approximately 14,000 square feet. Consequently, usable public space could be as low as 10,000 square feet. The library estimates that the relocation process could incur costs of around $500,000.

The decision to downsize has been met with resistance from residents, triggering the initiation of at least two citizen petitions calling for the library to remain in its current location. Brampton Library CEO Todd Kyle also penned a letter to Mayor Patrick Brown and City Council, expressing concerns about the move happening “without any public consultation and just a few years after many updates and renovations.”

Addressing the community’s concerns, Brampton City Council unanimously passed a motion in April, reaffirming their commitment to finding a permanent home for the soon-to-be-displaced Chinguacousy branch. The council recognizes the importance of ensuring continued access to library services for the residents of Brampton.

During the temporary relocation, the ski chalet branch will strive to offer a selection of books, materials, computer access, study spaces, various programs, and makerspace services. However, it will not feature a recording studio like the one available at the current Chinguacousy Branch.

Residents are encouraged to share their feedback on the relocation by emailing [email protected] or by calling 311. For further information regarding the relocation, interested individuals can visit the official Brampton Library website at www.bramptonlibrary.ca.

As this transition unfolds, Brampton’s Chinguacousy Branch looks forward to continuing its mission of serving the community, while the search for a permanent home remains a top priority for Brampton City Council.