The board of the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) has awarded the request for proposal (RFP) for construction of a new, larger library facility for Cumberland to Steam Engine Estates.Ronna-Rae Leonard, chair of VIRL鈥檚 board of trustees, said in a news release that the Village of Cumberland had requested that VIRL undertake an RFP process for a larger library to be located in the downtown core on Dunsmuir Avenue and accessible by bicycle.鈥淲e鈥檙e excited about the new location. The 2,865-square-foot building has been designed by architects Chow Low Hammond, who have extensive knowledge in library design,鈥� Leonard said of the site at 2727 Dunsmuir Ave., across from the current library.The current 840-square-foot Cumberland branch would require extensive upgrades to bring it up to acceptable level, but it would still not meet the needs for a 21st Century library, VIRL said in the release.Rosemary Bonanno, VIRL鈥檚 executive director, said the new site will allow for expansion of library services.鈥淭he larger library space will allow us to expand our collection, offer more public computers with Internet access, and provide public spaces with comfortable lounge seating for reading, quiet study, and areas for children鈥檚 programs,鈥� Bonanno said.Construction is expected to start soon after Steam Engine Estates completes the permit application process with the Village of Cumberland.鈥� Vancouver Island Regional Library