This December, Mississauga’s downtown library will close for a multi-year, multi-million-dollar renovation.

The city’s Central Library will be closed for a “major renovation,” according to a Feb. 25 Mississauga release, starting Dec. 24, 2020 with the building reopening in early 2023.

Renovations, which include adding approximately 34,000 square feet, a new children’s space, enhanced supports for people experiencing homelessness and new food services, are budgeted to cost $42.8 million.

Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie said the new library will play a big role in transforming the city’s downtown core.

“It will act as a community hub and gathering space that will facilitate learning and spark opportunity for the thousands of people who live, work and go to school in the downtown area and beyond,” she said in the city release.

The rebuild comes as Mississauga centre is set to see a number of new housing and infrastructure developments over the next few years, including the planned 18,000-unit Square One District and the Hurontario LRT, which is anticipated to be finished in 2024.

When it reopens, the renovated Central Library is also planned to have additional self-serve options, sound and video studios and a new “reflection room for prayer, meditation or quiet contemplation,” according to a city fact sheet about the project.

The ward's councillor, John Kovac, said he’s hopeful that the renovated library will be welcoming for everyone.

“As the downtown evolves into a vibrant urban community, the new library will meet the needs of over one million customers who come every year to read, enjoy a program, learn a skill or borrow a laptop or hotspot to help with a job search or study for school,” he said in a city release.

During the renovations and closure, the city is planning to temporarily relocate Central Library’s staff, collections, activities and programs.