THUNDER BAY – Repairs to a collapsed sewer pipe will disrupt a number of programs planned at the Brodie Resource Library throughout the month.
Construction activity will be going on throughout August at the south downtown core branch of the Thunder Bay Public Library after it was discovered an up to 10-metre section of piping needed immediate repair.
Librarian Jesse Roberts said staff members have been busy clearing out the children’s area of the library, located on the first floor of the building, which is directly over top the affected section of pipe.
“We are going to be shifting some of the programming we’ve already got scheduled for the next few weeks and it’s either going to be moving to other branches within the system or potentially to other locations within this building as it’s deemed appropriate and necessary,” Roberts said.
Activities offered in the space include children’s reading activities, puppet shows and drop-in groups for families with babies and toddlers. The collection of books normally in the area is being put in temporary storage.
“At this point in the season a lot of our summer programming is kind of winding down right now anyway,” Roberts said. “What we’ve done is taken the highest priority programming, things like the final party for the summer reading game for children, and that’s going to be merging with the party that’s already scheduled at Mary J.L. Black.”
Roberts said the building, located just around the corner from city hall, was originally constructed in 1910. That means some of the infrastructure could be up to 107 years old.
The branch will be closing on Aug. 14 to facilitate the repair work.
“There will be a lot of jackhammering and a lot of major construction happening in this area so they can get down to the section of piping that has collapsed and do the necessary repairs before putting in a new floor and add some new carpeting,” Roberts said.
Roberts said at this point there is no estimate on the cost of the repair.
An updated event calendar can be found on the library's website.
