Waverley Library Transformation

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Waverley Library being renovated?

2026 marks Waverley Library's 75th year of service to the community. The original structure was built in 1951 with an addition built in 1973. After 75 years, the building is in need of serious repairs and major upgrades, including:

a cracked foundation that is leaking water into the children’s section
a main entrance that fails to meet accessibility standards
major electrical and HVAC upgrades
a failing elevator system.

Due to the serious structural work and for the safety of our staff and the public, these repairs will require a temporary closure of the building.

While major repairs are underway, we will be taking the opportunity to improve the space:

a modernized floor plan
more programming spaces to meet community demand
more space for the book stacks and reading nooks
new flooring and paint
improved windows and lighting

When do the renovations start? How long will they take?

Renovations at Waverley will take place in 3 phases:

Phase 1, the construction of main floor washrooms, has already begun and we anticipate the new washroom facilities to open in the fall.
Phase 2, which includes the design and planning for the larger transformation, began in late 2025 when we began working with FormStudio Architects. At this time, we expect to have detailed timelines for construction to be prepared by the summer.
Phase 3 - our major renovation - will likely begin in January 2027. Phase 3 is expected to last 8 - 12 months.

Will the branch be closed during construction?

Some of the work being planned for Waverley is major enough to require that the building be temporarily closed:

restoring the cracked foundation
rebuilding the main entrance to meet accessibility standards
major electrical and HVAC upgrades
elevator upgrades

A detailed timeline is expected to be ready by the summer. At that point we will have a better idea of the possible length of closure and the sequencing of the work. The major work on the branch is anticipated to begin in January 2027.

How will this affect Library staff?

The majority of Library staff will be largely unaffected by the Waverley renovation.

During the branch closure, we hope to offer extended hours at our other branches. Our ability to extend hours at our other branches depends on agreement and flexibility from the Unions and we are in the midst of negotiating for that purpose.

We hope to be able to reassign the vast majority of Waverley staff to cover these additional hours. For a few staff who cannot be reassigned, there may be a period of temporary layoff.

At this time we do not have definitive answers as it depends both on the details of the renovation schedule and cooperation from the Unions.

Once we can safely re-open Waverley Library, we will bring all of our staff back to work. There will be no permanent layoffs or lost positions. Everyone will be given the opportunity to resume their roles once we can safely have staff back in the branch.

How much will this cost?

There are two types of costs associated with transformations of this nature.

Structural Repair

The structural repairs and improvements planned for Waverley Library are expected to cost between $6-$8 million.

The final cost has not been determined yet as we are still refining the designs and working through a Class C costing.

The majority of the investment for the core structural repairs is coming from government sources, including the City of Thunder Bay.

Interior Enhancements

Capital funding from government sources does not cover the furniture, toys, computers, and art that patrons use every day.

It also does not cover improved lighting, more windows and natural light, new flooring, creating programming rooms, STEM labs, or enhanced accessibility features.

To take Waverley Library from its structural foundation to a public space our community can be truly proud to call its own, we will launch major fundraising efforts, inviting support from the entire community.

Why does the branch need to close completely? Can't the work be done in phases while the branch stays open?

We are still working through construction timelines, including how they will affect access to the branch.

Some phases of the work will require temporary closures to ensure public safety.

As we work through detailed planning with our architects, engineers, and construction team, we will develop a responsible plan that balances a safe, cost-effective construction schedule with the community’s need for access to the Library.

When will more information come out?

What will Waverley look like after the transformation?

We are finalizing the building design to ensure it is both cost-effective and capable of delivering the improvements the community has been asking for.

This spring, we will host a public open house to share the final plans and give you a clear picture of what to expect from your new Waverley Library.

At the centre of the redesign is a Children’s Library, double the size of the current space and about the size of an NHL rink, alongside an indoor play area, an expanded book collection, and three dedicated programming rooms

The main floor will include updated washrooms, additional public computers, upgraded reading areas and fresh welcoming spaces.

A new Indigenous Knowledge Centre will sit at the heart of the Library, creating space for learning, reflection, and connection.

The Friends of the Library bookstore will remain in its current location at Waverley.

Throughout the building, increased natural light from added windows and a new skylight will complement quiet reading areas and flexible spaces for community events.

Why do you need donations if you are City funded?

The City of Thunder Bay provides the core funding that keeps the Library running, and we are genuinely grateful for that partnership. But core funding covers the essentials, not the exceptional.

Think of it this way: the province funds our hospitals, but donations are what pay for better equipment, expanded services, and the enhanced care that make a real difference to patients.

The same principle applies here. Funding from the City and other levels of government will address the structural repairs Waverley urgently needs. Donations are what will take it from a basic building to a truly great one.

The items that donations will fund are the ones you actually touch: the books on the shelves, the computers at the tables, the science kits and educational games, the large print collections, and the furniture your children curl up in. These are not luxuries. They are the difference between a library that functions and a library that our community is proud of.

Waverley turns 75 this year. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to give it the next 75. Your donation is how that happens.

What does this mean for people visiting the library?

For the safety of staff and the public, Waverley Library will likely be closed during critical parts of the construction.
During any branch closure, we hope to offer extended hours at our other branches so that the community can continue to enjoy as much Library access as we can safely provide during Waverley's transformation.

At this time It is not certain how long these major structural repairs will take. Work is anticipated to begin in January 2027. Depending on what is uncovered during the course of the work, we anticipate that construction might last 8 - 12 months.

What happens to the books, programming and other services that Waverley currently offers during the closure?

How can I help with the Waverley renovation?

There are three ways to be part of this:

Give.
A donation of any size goes directly toward the parts of Waverley that government funding doesn't cover: the furniture, books, technology, program spaces, and features that make the Library easier to use for everyone, including people with disabilities. Every gift matters and every donor becomes part of the story of Waverley's renewal.

Spread the word.
Tell your neighbours, your family, your colleagues. Share our updates on social media. The more people who know what's happening at Waverley and why, the stronger this community project becomes.

Show up.
Come to our open houses this spring. Bring your questions, bring your kids, bring your opinions. This building belongs to Thunder Bay, and the people who shape its future should be the people who use it.

Waverley is where children grow up, where teens come to study, where newcomers learn, where families connect, and where seniors find community. It is where Thunder Bay comes together. Be part of building it for the next generation.

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