Construction on exterior spaces at Ādisōk nearing competition, but no timeline to open Ottawa’s new central library

Ādisōke is the new joint library project between the City of Ottawa and Library and Archives Canada. The city says construction on the exterior spaces are “nearing completion,” but there is no timeline to open the new library. June 7, 2026. (CTV News Ottawa)

Construction on the exterior of the new Ottawa Public Library main branch is nearing completion, but the City of Ottawa will not say when Ādisōke will open to the public.

The $352.4 million facility at LeBreton Flats is a joint venture between the city and Library and Archives Canada.

The facility was originally scheduled to open in late 2024, but the project was pushed back to the summer of 2026. Councillors were told last December that the library would not open in 2026, as the contractor reported delays and pressures on the timeline.

In a statement to CTV News Ottawa on Friday, Tara Blasioli, the city’s manager of Design and Construction – Facilities, said the city continues to review the contractors’ schedule “on an ongoing basis.”

“The City and its partners remain committed to delivering Ādisōke as a welcoming, community-focused destination to connect and gather for generations to come,” Blasioli said.

“Construction activity remains active across the site, with the exterior spaces nearing completion, and significant progress being made inside the facility. As construction continues, crews are focused on completing the interior with distinct architectural components, such as lighting and millwork, that will define Ādisōke as a landmark destination.”

Blasioli said the city “remains committed” to keep councillors and the public informed on the project.

A report to the finance and corporate services committee in June said the project was 85 per cent complete and the schedule from the contractor indicated completion in December 2026.

“Construction at Ādisōke continues to advance steadily,” staff said in the report last spring.

“The building structure is complete and enclosed, and work is now well underway on interior finishes, building systems, and exterior landscaping.”

The Ottawa Public Library has extended its lease to remain at the main branch on Metcalfe Street until the end of 2027 due to the uncertainty over the opening date. The final six-month extension of the lease from July 1 to Dec. 31, 2027, will cost the library $1.8 million.

The Ottawa Public Library sold the building in 2018 and continues to operate out of the building on a lease.

Budget surplus

The Ottawa Public Library is projecting a $5.7 million budget surplus this year, mainly due to the delayed opening of Ādisōke.

Staff are projecting the budget to be underspent by 7.7 per cent at the end of the opening.

“The anticipated expenditure surplus is the result of underspending in two categories, both primarily related to the delay in the opening of the Central branch: facility overhead (utilities, maintenance) and lower compensation costs (salaries and benefits),” said a report for Tuesday’s Ottawa Public Library Board meeting.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s William Eltherington

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