On 07 January 1986, the provincial government donated $571,000 to help build a new $1.7 million North Oshawa public library branch. The city and the library board shared the $1.1 million left to pay for construction of the building, which would be built at the northwest corner of Beatrice Street and Ritson Road. Ruth Brooking, the library’s chief executive officer at that time, said the $1.7 million cost would include furnishings in addition to the building.

The new 13,000-square-foot, one-story building replaced a 3,500-square-foot branch that the city leases in a Simcoe Street North shopping plaza. The new branch was much needed because the old storefront library was bursting at the seams and could not any longer adequately serve north Oshawa.

The new branch was strategically located in an area of high residential density. The northwest corner of Beatrice and Ritson was considered a highly visible location in the city’s fastest-growing residential section. The new library branch included space for 50 parking spots, a large community meeting room, electrically-heated sidewalks and a kitchen for community groups using the building.

The Northview Branch, a bright and modern place, is an open-concept building without pillars, using skylights for most of its lighting. Architects, Mathers and Haldneby also did the work on the expansion of the McLaughlin branch and the Bell building. The interior design was worked out by Atkinson/McLaeod Design Consultants Ltd. They too worked on the McLaughlin expansion.

The exterior was done in buff-coloured bricks with a complimentary tile roof, which contains several skylights, giving the interior an airy, light-filled atmosphere. Large windows on the north, west and east walls and the skylight over the south side entrance made it possible for people to see right through the library.

With bright banners flying from the arches the flag was raised on March 24, 1987 to signify the opening of the Northview Branch. Mayor Allan C. Pilkey and Norman J. MacLeod, Chairman of the Board, cut the ribbon and the public, who had waited so patiently during a year of construction, poured through the doors.