Old Halifax library, Delmore Daye’s former home to be discussed at council next week

The old Halifax Memorial Library is pictured. (Source: Jim Kvammen/CTV News Atlantic)

Halifax council will discuss plans for the old Memorial Library building on Spring Garden Road and a possible heritage property designation for Delmore “Buddy” Daye’s former home at their regular meeting next week.

The Community Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee is recommending council direct the chief administrative officer to draft a new report on the potential reuse of the Memorial Library, which has sat empty since 2014.

The committee is also asking council to discontinue its 2024 direction for the library, which sought consultant work that included the possible full or partial removal of the building, and turning the site into a public park.

“Over the past year, the project has attracted interest and media attention, both for the history of the former burial grounds and speculation about the Memorial Library building,” reads a report from the committee.

“Groups and individuals have contacted staff and the district Councillor about the condition of the building and have expressed a desire to see the building rehabilitated instead of demolished.

“In January of 2026, there was a well-attended public meeting at the Halifax Central Library. The meeting was held to gather community support for saving the Memorial Library and to begin putting together ideas for credible adaptive reuses of the building.”

The library was built in 1951 and received an addition in 1974. It was granted a municipal heritage property designation in 2020.

A 2025 visual assessment of the building found that most of its components were in poor-to-failed condition, according to the committee.

The committee noted it could cost $7.8 million to address the current deficiencies. In 2020, a high-level cost estimate was projected at $15-to-20 million.

“This estimate should not be taken on its own,” the committee’s document reads. “Substantially higher costs (as previously noted) would be expected for any possible reuse of the building. This would only be able to be adequately assessed with a fulsome engineering study.”

‘Buddy’ Daye property

While the future of the Memorial Library remains in doubt, another Halifax site could soon become a heritage property.

The Heritage Advisory Committee is recommending council approve a request to include 2319 Maynard St. in the registry of heritage property for the municipality.

The building was the home of Delmore “Buddy” Daye and his wife for 40 years. The property remains with the Daye family, according to documents from the committee.

The committee documents note the building was constructed in 1888 in the “Halifax box style,” which involves a square plan and an asymmetrical elevated entrance.

It also noted Daye, who became the first Black sergeant-at-arms for the Nova Scotia Legislature in 1990, is a “historical figure of national significance.”

Daye became a boxer in 1953 and retired with a record of 76-6-1 with 71 knockouts. He later advocated for changes to make boxing safer for athletes as part of the Halifax Athletic Commission and the Canadian Boxing Federation.

Buddy Daye Street in Halifax was named after him in 2008.

Halifax council will discuss both motions at their Tuesday meeting.

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