CAYUGA—The Cayuga Library and Heritage Centre, just before its grand opening on August 6, 2019.
By Haldimand Press Staff
CAYUGA—The new Cayuga Library & Heritage Centre officially opened to the public on Tuesday, August 6, 2019.
“I think the public will be pleasantly surprised; I’m impressed with it,” said Ward 2 Councillor John Metcalfe. “There’s so much open space, the concept flows from museum to library; there’s no defined barriers.”
All library and museum services are now available; however, visitors should note that minor finishing touches (such as accent lighting, paint touch-ups, and landscaping) will be ongoing for a few more weeks. A more formal ribbon-cutting ceremony is being planned for a later date.
“The design of the building is really intended to give a nod to the directions the county is moving in, that progressiveness,” said Interim CAO Craig Manley, “but it also has features that reflect that rural character, like the galvanized steel and an open roof that gives you the feeling of an agricultural building.”
The facility, which totals 6,455 square feet on a single floor, is fully integrated and accessible. Those entering the building will find high ceilings, bright murals, and historic displays throughout the building; be sure to look in all directions, including up, to see everything on display. The first heritage exhibit on display, titled Back to Our Roots, features a number of artifacts from Haldimand County’s very first museum exhibit dating back to 1933 – which was located in a 22-square-foot room within the existing Cayuga Courthouse. The new museum has 800 square feet of dedicated exhibit space and 600 square feet for local history and genealogical research.
CAYUGA—The new Heritage Centre includes a permanent installation of the door from the Canfield Hotel, which was in the previous building as well. There are also displays of various sizes, which can be shifted as the exhibit changes; some are positioned in front of the windows that lead onto Talbot Street to invite passersby to take a look.
“We’re so excited about this new facility,” said Museum Curator Karen Richardson. Noting the windows that display the heritage centre artifacts from Talbot Street, Richardson added, “How cool will that be for people walking by to see certain things right there?”
Those spending time at the centre can also lounge back in reading nooks, set up their laptop at a work station, or gather together in the study room. The new space also features a designated program room. Richardson said she will be continuing with all past programming and will be exploring new time slots to offer upcoming programs, since co-locating with the library allows extended hours. Library staff added that the Cayuga location will now be able to offer more programs, as their previous program room was not accessible.
CAYUGA—The new library space includes various places to sit alone or with a group, whether to relax with a good book or get some work done.
“We have a unique opportunity here by co-locating with the museum to provide something different for the public when they come in,” said Paul Diette, CEO of Haldimand County Public Library. “The library specifically is very excited with our new children’s department. We have something we haven’t had before and that’s a nice, comfortable, stimulating area for children.”
Manley added, “We wanted to create an environment that encourages people to explore and see all of the building, and we made the decision to co-locate on the basis that there are a number of efficiencies: shared administration space, shared washrooms, facilities like the meeting space…. By building this at a key intersection we also wanted to ensure our investments are adding to the quality of the local environment.”
Community consultations regarding the future of the old library and museum sites – which will be developed into public parklands – will continue into the fall. Further opportunities to provide input into their design and development will be communicated to residents in the coming weeks.
More information on the new Cayuga Library & Heritage Centre, including hours of operation and services offered, is available at
haldimandcounty.ca/cayugalhc.
