Capreol Millennium Resource Centre Space Analysis Feasibility Project

The City is considering relocating the Capreol Public Library and Citizen Service Centre to the Capreol Millennium Resource Centre.

The Capreol Public Library and Citizen Service Centre currently operates out of a municipally-owned building located at 9 Morin St., Capreol. The building is also home to the Capreol Seniors Club, Capreol Community Closet and other community-based programs.

Through previous budget deliberations, capital funds have been allocated to the Capreol Public Library and Citizen Service Centre building to address items identified in building condition assessments and barrier-free accessibility audits, specifically, the installation of a new elevating device.

The City also owns and operates the Capreol Millennium Resource Centre located at 24 Meehan St., Capreol. This two‐storey multi-purpose building has a gymnasium, classrooms, offices, dorm rooms, youth centre space and a fitness centre. It is also home to the 2915 Capreol Irish Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps (RCACC) and Northern Ontario Railway Museum and Heritage Centre Fund (NORMHCF) CN crew accommodations.

With a significant amount of vacant space on the basement and main levels of the Capreol Millenium Resource Centre, the City began discussing the possibility of consolidating services. Based on a preliminary assessment, it was determined there was merit in further exploring moving Capreol Public Library and Citizen Service Centre operations, along with existing facility user groups, to the Capreol Millennium Resource Centre.

During 2025 budget deliberations, the 2024–2027 capital budget was amended to pause previously-approved work at the Capreol Public Library and Citizen Service Centre. Council directed that $40,000 be reallocated to conduct a feasibility study to explore this potential relocation.

Bélanger Salach Architecture was retained to complete the space analysis work. Stakeholder engagement was held in Fall 2025 to inform decision-making with regards to the proposed functional program and offered valuable insights into the broader concerns around the program.

A final report was presented to the Finance and Administration Committee in May 2026. This report noted that while the space analysis confirms that services can be consolidated at the Capreol Millennium Resource Centre, there is a significant gap between the estimated costs of renovation and existing capital funds already allocated. A resolution was passed by Council directing staff to prepare a business case as part of the 2027 budget process for the development of a community hub at the Capreol Millennium Resource Centre. The business case will further examine the consolidation of the facilities and provide information on the following:

  • Review recommended functional program requirements to ensure that the project is maximizing shared use of space and prioritizing core requirements of the project.
  • Refining allowances for mechanical and electrical estimates.
  • Include recommendations for the roof structural assessment currently being completed. Should the assessment results identify items that need to be immediately addressed, these will be advanced prior to the 2027 budget process.
  • Explore potential phasing of work.
  • Identify other potential sources of funds.
  • Develop a facility operating plan and quantify savings achieved through a consolidation of services under one roof.
  • Address other project risks identified (concerns about tenant agreements).
  • Identify options for the 9 Morin Street building should the project be advanced.

The City is considering relocating the Capreol Public Library and Citizen Service Centre to the Capreol Millennium Resource Centre.

The Capreol Public Library and Citizen Service Centre currently operates out of a municipally-owned building located at 9 Morin St., Capreol. The building is also home to the Capreol Seniors Club, Capreol Community Closet and other community-based programs.

Through previous budget deliberations, capital funds have been allocated to the Capreol Public Library and Citizen Service Centre building to address items identified in building condition assessments and barrier-free accessibility audits, specifically, the installation of a new elevating device.

The City also owns and operates the Capreol Millennium Resource Centre located at 24 Meehan St., Capreol. This two‐storey multi-purpose building has a gymnasium, classrooms, offices, dorm rooms, youth centre space and a fitness centre. It is also home to the 2915 Capreol Irish Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps (RCACC) and Northern Ontario Railway Museum and Heritage Centre Fund (NORMHCF) CN crew accommodations.

With a significant amount of vacant space on the basement and main levels of the Capreol Millenium Resource Centre, the City began discussing the possibility of consolidating services. Based on a preliminary assessment, it was determined there was merit in further exploring moving Capreol Public Library and Citizen Service Centre operations, along with existing facility user groups, to the Capreol Millennium Resource Centre.

During 2025 budget deliberations, the 2024–2027 capital budget was amended to pause previously-approved work at the Capreol Public Library and Citizen Service Centre. Council directed that $40,000 be reallocated to conduct a feasibility study to explore this potential relocation.

Bélanger Salach Architecture was retained to complete the space analysis work. Stakeholder engagement was held in Fall 2025 to inform decision-making with regards to the proposed functional program and offered valuable insights into the broader concerns around the program.

A final report was presented to the Finance and Administration Committee in May 2026. This report noted that while the space analysis confirms that services can be consolidated at the Capreol Millennium Resource Centre, there is a significant gap between the estimated costs of renovation and existing capital funds already allocated. A resolution was passed by Council directing staff to prepare a business case as part of the 2027 budget process for the development of a community hub at the Capreol Millennium Resource Centre. The business case will further examine the consolidation of the facilities and provide information on the following:

  • Review recommended functional program requirements to ensure that the project is maximizing shared use of space and prioritizing core requirements of the project.
  • Refining allowances for mechanical and electrical estimates.
  • Include recommendations for the roof structural assessment currently being completed. Should the assessment results identify items that need to be immediately addressed, these will be advanced prior to the 2027 budget process.
  • Explore potential phasing of work.
  • Identify other potential sources of funds.
  • Develop a facility operating plan and quantify savings achieved through a consolidation of services under one roof.
  • Address other project risks identified (concerns about tenant agreements).
  • Identify options for the 9 Morin Street building should the project be advanced.
Page last updated: 27 May 2026, 03:27 PM