Library of Parliament Renovations Finally Over

Earlier today, the Government of Canada sent out a very brief invitation to the media to attend a ceremony on May 30th marking the end of the multi-year renovations to the Library of Parliament, a neighbour of my workplace, the Supreme Court of Canada.

The renovations started in 2002 and are part of the large-scale modernization project of the Parliamentary Precinct, which includes one of the finest collections of neo-Gothic buildings in the world. The Library of Parliament is a veritable architectural gem and is a well-known icon of the Precinct.

Background information:

• Completed Projects - Library of Parliament: this section of the Parliamentary Precinct Directorate website (a part of Public Works and Government Services Canada or PWGSC) includes video and a photo gallery of the work done
• CCI and the Rehabilitation of the Parliamentary Precinct (Canadian Conservation Institute): provides background to the $1.8 billion Long Term Vision and Plan for the rehabilitation and renewal of the Parliamentary Precinct, its buildings, and infrastructure
• 2004-2005 Departmental Performance Report (PWGSC): part of the ministry's annual report filed with Parliament, this section deals with PWGSC's Parliamentary Precinct Projects, including the renovations to the Library of Parliament
• Library of Parliament renovation way over budget, behind schedule (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation): according to this August 2005 news report, the Library renovations are about $50 million over budget. Nobody's perfect. As my father likes to say: "L'art n'a pas de coût!" (Art has no cost)

Related Library Boy post: Parliamentary Website Unveils Heritage Artifacts Collection (Dec. 18, 2005)