The Gaynor Family Regional Library in Selkirk is looking for local artists and builders to design a unique woodland cabin for its expanding children’s area. The library has launched a Request for Proposals for what it calls the Rotary Hideaway, a signature feature in the new children’s wing. Submissions are due by 5 p.m. on July 14, 2026.
The project is part of a major expansion that will nearly double the library’s usable space to 22,500 square feet. The Manitoba government announced $600,000 in funding in March 2026 to support the work, which includes a new children’s area, study spaces, and room for 20,000 more books.
The Rotary Hideaway itself is funded by a $100,000 donation from the Rotary Club of Selkirk. The club committed the money over two years specifically for the 6,000-square-foot children’s section. The library also says the Gaynor family continues to match donations up to $300,000 for the expansion, with less than $5,000 left to go as of June 2026.
The library is seeking Manitoba-based artists, woodworkers, and design teams for the cabin. The winning proposal will need to be built and installed by September 30, 2026, with fabrication happening in August and September. Interested applicants can find the full RFP document on the library’s website and direct questions to Director of Library Services Ken Kuryliw.
Library staff say the expansion comes as demand grows for children’s programming. In 2024, more than 5,400 children attended library events, and the facility welcomed nearly 150,000 visitors overall, making it one of the busiest libraries in the province.
