More than $5.6 million in federal funding will ensure Lachute has a new public library by the spring of 2027.
On Thursday, March 13, Argenteuil-La Petite-Nation Member of Parliament (MP) Stéphane Lauzon announced $5,613,116 from the federal Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program is being granted to the Ville de Lachute to complete the project of renovating the former Lachute United Church building on rue Principale as the new location of the Jean-Marc Belzile Library.
The federal funding follows a grant of $3,342,000 from the Québec government, announced for the project on December 13, 2024.
Efforts began to convert the former United Church into a new library in 2009. After years of periodic work, Lachute council decided in March 2024 to proceed with completing the project more aggressively by securing grant funding.
According to the city of Lachute, 77 per cent of the estimated $15,950,000 library project is now covered by federal and provincial grants, which means municipal taxpayers are only responsible for $3.7 million, or 23 per cent of the cost.
Lachute Mayor Bernard Bigras-Denis described the federal grant as an “exceptional amount.” He said the city has been committed to ensuring that the grant funding reduces the contribution taxpayers will make to the project.
Bigras-Denis said he has been working to advance the library project since he was elected mayor in 2021.
The mayor said Lauzon has been “supportive from day one,” in the city’s effort to secure federal funding for the new library.
The existing library is across the street beside city hall. In addition to regular library resource services, the new facility will offer a multipurpose room for cultural activities, a youth area, multimedia spaces, teen space, and a café corner. There will also be individual and collaborative workspaces, a news lounge, and an outdoor terrace.
“It is a milieu for life and many activities,” Lauzon said.
The current library space is 4,671.5 square feet or 434 square metres. The new library will offer 17,330 square feet or 1,610 square metres.
Lauzon said the new library will be an inclusive space and described it as a downtown revitalization project which will conserve a heritage building.
The interior of the former church has been completely gutted. All walls, plaster, electrical wiring, plumbing, heating, and ventilation have been removed. The stained-glass church windows have been removed and are being safely stored. They will be restored and re-installed in the building. The March 13 funding announcement was held inside the building, but attendees were wearing coats and sweaters to stay warm. Bigras-Denis said it will take “about 18 months” for the remaining work to be complete. He is hoping the new library is ready to open in April, 2027.
Photos: James Morgan
