Tractus was selected to renovate a large-scale renovation at Winnipeg’s Millennium Library, a central hub for the community. Our team handled extensive flooring and lighting upgrades while ensuring the library remained open and fully functional for the public throughout the entire process.

We replaced 11,832.6 square yards of carpet tile with 24” x 24” Shaw carpet tile, enhancing the library’s aesthetic and durability for its high foot traffic.

The library’s outdated fluorescent lighting was upgraded to energy-efficient LED strip, surface-mounted, and wall-mounted luminaires. This new system provides a brighter, more welcoming atmosphere and significantly reduces energy consumption.

Tractus managed the complex task of coordinating the relocation and temporary storage of office furniture, public seating, art, and shelving on every floor. This enabled seamless replacement of flooring and lighting without disrupting library operations.

Challenges

• The library remained open to the public during construction, requiring careful planning to minimize disruption.
• Library inventory and shelving needed to be moved and stored, all while keeping the entire collection available to staff and patrons.

Solutions

In close collaboration with Library Services staff, Tractus developed a phased Construction Strategy, dividing the work into four phases over a 9-month period. This approach allowed the library to stay operational with minimal downtime on each floor.

Clear Communication: In partnership with the City of Winnipeg’s Communications department, Tractus provided bi-weekly updates to keep patrons informed about the construction phases and re-opening schedules for each floor.

Specialized Shelving Equipment: Tractus sourced specialized equipment from Quick Transfer to move entire shelving units while keeping books intact. This innovative solution significantly reduced labor and storage needs, saving both time and resources.

Access to Library Resources: We ensured continuous access to the library’s full collection for staff and patrons. By strategically relocating shelves, Tractus kept resources readily available for both in-person and online requests.

Partners

COW Library Staff and Communications Department, Quick Transfer, Martin Electrical