February Update: Early Cost Estimate for Possible Library Space at the EECC

Overview

The East Elgin Community Complex (EECC) Board of Management will be receiving a staff report on February 11, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. in the Blue Line Room at the East Elgin Community Complex. The report includes a early cost estimate (Class “D”) for potential necessary changes to Imperial Hall to accommodate the Aylmer Branch of the Elgin County Library.

Decision Summary

The agenda includes Report CAO 06-25 recommending that the Class “D” estimate and related information be received for information, along with options the Board may choose, including:

take the next step and request more detailed design work (which would require budget approval by the member municipalities), or
do more analysis first (including impacts on current users and a clearer financial picture), or
wait and consider the matter during the 2027 budget process.

Report Summary

The report outlines that the Class “D” estimate is an early, high-level cost estimate and is expected to be refined if detailed engineering is pursued. It also notes that this project was not included in the 2026 EECC Budget, and if advanced, would be considered as part of a 2027 Capital Plan.

Financial Considerations

The Class “D” estimate projects a cost of $460,820, exclusive of HST and professional fees. The report also identifies a potential next-step cost of $56,000 for built design engineering (if that option is selected), and notes the estimate may change as scope details are confirmed (including potential kitchen-related items).

Next Steps

Depending on direction from the EECC Board, the report outlines possible next steps, including:

seeking endorsement of the member municipalities (Malahide and Aylmer) for a 2026 budget amendment
speaking with current users and stakeholders about the impacts of changing Imperial Hall use,
preparing a clearer picture of operating impacts and long-term costs,
considering high-level lease principles needed to recover costs, and
bringing a follow-up report back to the EECC Board with updated information and options.

Looking Ahead to March

Following the February 11, 2026 meeting, any further updates and publicly available reports related to the library project will be shared through this project news feed as they become available.