Heather Wright/The Independent

Construction on the $5.8 million upgrade at the Bright’s Grove Library will start a little in sooner than expected.

And that means the Gallery in the Grove will close Saturday.

Since 2017, Lambton County, which provides staff and operates the library, and the City of Sarnia, which owns the building, have been talking about expanding the library. Recently, the city approved the $5.8 million contract to move ahead with the project. But even as recently as June 17 at the Lambton County council committee meeting, officials were not sure when the library expansion would begin.

Andrew Meyer, general manager of cultural services, told councillors then library patrons would hear about the plans as soon as they were finalized.

“We’ll be reaching out to our cardholders, as well as promoting the availability of the other sites as outlined in the report. So, yeah, we’re working with city staff to develop a communications plan regarding the service disruption,” he said.

The county expects the 1,400 patrons of the Bright’s Grove Library will use the Clearwater, Camlachie and Point Edward branches during the 14 months of construction. Staffing is being shifted from the Bright’s Grove branch to those libraries for the time being.

It appears the construction is starting the first week of July. The project affects Gallery in the Grove, which is on the second floor of the library.

In an release to supporters, officials said; “Things have been moving quickly with the Bright’s Grove Library Hub expansion project. We have been informed that construction will begin soon and the library will close June 27.

“For a variety of reasons, including safety, we have decided to end the current exhibit on June 27, one week earlier than originally planned.”

Meyer told councillors the county has been working with the organization hoping to help. “We, as Cultural Services Division, will be working with the gallery to determine if we can accommodate some of their programs or exhibitions at other county sites looking to partner with the JNAG (Judith and Norman Alix Gallery), perhaps starting a library to ensure that some of their programming can continue,” he said.

Meantime, the Bright’s Grove Community Capital Campaign is kicking off its public fundraising campaign for the project. It plans to raise $1 million for the building and already has raised 70 per cent of its goal.