No plans yet for old Halifax library

An advisory committee recommends that the downtown Halifax library be designated a heritage property, but municipal staff say it's too early to consider it.

Halifax regional council must decide what to do with the library on Spring Garden Road once a new facility opens across the street in 2014.

In a report to council, a heritage advisory committee says the 60-year-old building was constructed in a "modern classical style" and is surrounded by other historic properties.

As such, the committee says, the building should be registered as a heritage property.

Peter Bigelow, the manager in charge of the project, says that could limit the possibilities. He suggests council delay a decision until a new report is ready, possibly in December.

"What council has asked us to do is explore in detail a number of opportunitiesand all opportunities," Bigelow said.

Those opportunities include municipal, provincial or commercial use of the space.

Council will be presented with reports from municipalstaff and the heritage committee on Tuesday.

No matter what happens, the old building needs repairs.

"It's drafty, it's an old building, some of the W joists need to be repaired. So there is work that has to be done, but it can be done. The municipality just doesn't have the money to put into a building like that," said Coun. Dawn Sloane.

Sloane said several uses have been proposed for the building, including a museum and a hall of assembly for a Mi'kmaq government.

Thelibrarywas built asa memorial to those who died in the FirstWorld War and the Second World War.Thatmemorial designation will transfer to the new facility.