The Ottawa Public Library has exercised its final lease extension for the main branch in downtown Ottawa until the end of 2027 due to the uncertainty over the opening date for the new central library at LeBreton Flats. The main branch remains open at 120 Metcalfe Street while construction continues on the new Ādisōke branch. The Ottawa Public Library sold the building in 2018, and continues to operate out of the building on a lease. In February, the Ottawa Public Library Board finalized a lease extension for the main branch for a six-month term between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2027, at a cost of $900,000. The board also delegated authority to Ottawa Public Library CEO Sonia Bebbington to executive a sixth and final extension for the final six months of 2027, if needed. In a memo to the Ottawa Public Library Board, Bebbington says the library exercised the option to execute the sixth and final lease extension from July 1 to Dec. 31, 2027. It will cost the Ottawa Public Library $1.8 million for the six-month lease extension. “The decision to exercise the final extension was required given the absence of a confirmed opening date for the Central branch at Ādisōke,” Bebbington said in a memo to the board. “Without a defined in-service date, OPL must ensure continuity of library services beyond June 2027. As the lease provides only six-month extension options, and no mechanism for shorter-term arrangements, exercising the final extension was the only viable means of maintaining uninterrupted service, and to ensure building access for decommissioning activities, following the opening of Central.” The $334 million Ādisōke library is a joint project between the City of Ottawa and Library and Archives Canada, and is located near LeBreton Flats. The library was initially expected to open this summer, but councillors were told in December that the library would not open in 2026, as the contractor reported delays and pressures on the timeline. In June, staff said the project is now 85 per cent complete and work is “underway on interior finishes, building systems, and exterior landscaping.” Councillors approved a plan for the City of Ottawa to spend an additional $11.5 million on the project in June, while Library and Archives Canada will cover $7 million in additional costs. Staff said the extended construction timelines resulted in additional project costs. “Continued project oversight, including external resources, and an increase to construction contingency, are required to maintain continuity and rigorous quality control, and to ensure that Ādisōke is delivered to the community as envisioned an exceptional civic and cultural facility that meets the highest standards of quality and performance,” staff said. Elmvale Acres Branch The Ottawa Public Library is planning to keep the Elmvale Acres Branch open on St. Laurent Boulevard for another five years. The board will vote Tuesday on extending the lease for 7,570 sq. ft. of commercial space for the Elmvale Acres branch until January 31, 2032. Staff say the agreement includes a minimum rent commitment of $945,470 and an estimated total occupancy cost of $1.3 million. The Elmvale Acres Branch has operated within the Elmvale Acres Shopping Centre since 1989. Staff say the branch recorded 75,140 visits in 2024 and circulated nearly 99,000 items.
