Municipal office spaces at Greater Sudbury’s City Hall will transform into the green and inclusive home of a cultural hub at Tom Davies Square after an investment of more than $25 million from the federal government.

Federal funds come from the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program (GICB) and the Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP).

Once complete, the cultural hub at Tom Davies Square will be home to the Art Gallery of Sudbury, the new central library, and the Sudbury Multicultural and Folk Arts Association. The facility promises a community space with a variety of cultural and educational services in one centralized location.

This retrofit will enhance the existing facility and make it more accessible. The cultural hub will be equipped with rest area seating, tactile guidance systems, charging stations for mobility devices, and voice announcements for floor identification. Sustainable upgrades include energy-efficient LED lighting and improved insulation to minimize heating and cooling loss.

These enhancements are expected to reduce the facility’s energy consumption by an estimated 29 per cent and greenhouse gas emissions by 315 tonnes annually.

“The Cultural Hub will be a gathering space that promotes art, culture, technology, knowledge, and innovation,” said MP Viviane Lapointe. “This investment is also about economic growth and community development. The renovation and construction of the Hub will create numerous jobs in the short term, and once completed, it will continue to support our local economy by attracting tourists, cultural events and businesses to Sudbury.”