The Township of Lake of Bays has officially broken ground on the Dwight Library Expansion and Community Centre Upgrades project, a major milestone for a long-anticipated, community-led initiative. Once complete, the newly expanded facility will serve as a modern, accessible hub for residents and visitors alike.
About the project
The expansion adds approximately 3,000 square feet to the existing building and includes:
- Redesigned, fully accessible washrooms
- An upgraded commercial-grade kitchen
- New community activity areas and multipurpose room
- Enhanced library space with an improved layout
- New parking lot layout with electric vehicle charging stations
Additionally, the community centre will receive upgrades including updated flooring, ceilings, and dimmable lighting.
Construction details
To maintain service during construction, the Lake of Bays Library (Dwight branch) has temporarily relocated to the community centre. Construction begins with foundation and exterior work for the expansion on the west end of the building. Work will be completed in four phases:
- Phase 1: Footings, exterior walls, and roof tie-ins for the expansion, as well as washroom renovations
- Phase 2: Interior construction of the expanded library area on the west side of the building
- Phase 3: Library moves into its new space; interior upgrades to the community centre and kitchen; exterior painting to unify the building
- Phase 4: Final preparations and public opening
Indoor washrooms will be temporarily closed. Portable facilities will be available on site, and public washrooms at the Municipal Office across the street remain open.
Parking and access
The project will permanently reduce parking capacity at 1014 Dwight Beach Road. To offset this, additional parking spaces are being built on the north side of 1012 Dwight Beach Road.
During construction, please follow posted signage. A temporary one-way setup is in place at 1014 Dwight Beach Road, with additional access available from the adjacent Municipal Office parking lot.
Stay informed
To stay informed throughout the construction process, residents are encouraged to subscribe on the Township’s Engage page, where project updates, photos, and public notices will be shared regularly. Visit Lakeofbays.on.ca/CommunityHub.
“Folks in the community rolled up their sleeves, raised a lot of the funds, and kept the momentum going,” said Mayor Terry Glover. “It’s been a long time coming, and it wouldn’t be happening without your hard work. We’re proud to see it move forward and can’t wait to open the doors to a modern space that’s built for connection.”
