Council votes to build new library in Stayner

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Clearview council agreed Monday night to build a new library in Stayner, as an addition to the arena.

After a decade of number crunching and debate, council voted to construct a 6,800 square foot library attached to the Stayner Community Centre.

The staff-recommended site came before council with the blessing of the library board, although chair Bob Charlton made it clear that it was not anyone’s first choice. Board members, staff and council members all agreed that they would rather see the library remain in the downtown core but they are anxious to get out of the existing 2,411 square foot building, which is too small and has been in a state of disrepair at various times over the years. Three options were considered by staff in addition to the arena add-on, including building on the current location on Huron Street, incorporating the library with Stayner Collegiate Institute, developing the Gideon Street property across from town hall.

The township purchased the Perry/Gideon Street property across from town hall, in 2014 at a cost of $451,145, with a library building site in mind. It was not a recommended site though as it does not allow for ground-level on-site parking and future expansion. Also, a small triangular parcel of land is not owned by the township and would have to be purchased.

At the Sept. 26 meeting, council was presented two options for the arena addition; an 8,200 square foot addition and a 6,800 square-foot addition and council chose the smaller.

Clearview Township CAO Stephen Sage said locating the library at the arena, building to the east and south sides, will help reduce costs because it can use the existing washrooms and boardroom, plus take advantage of program space in the arena hall, which is typically underutilized. The total project costs would be $3,815,000 which includes $3,250,000 in borrowing, $250,000 in fundraising and $365,000 from existing or anticipated reserves. The intent is to create a hub at the arena, but with acknowledgement that removing the library from the downtown core may affect the central business area. The estimated price tag does not include any necessary renovations to the existing building.

Council members talked about the location for much of the meeting.

Councillor Robert Walker said the arena is already a hub for six months of the year, because of hockey and now it can be a hub year-round.

“We need to move forward with this, we have talked about it for two terms,” he said, adding library staff needs more space to incorporate technology, such as additional computer labs and a 3D printer.

Councillor Shawn Davidson said it’s not what he was hoping for.

“We have been going around in circles on this for a decade,” he said. “This removes the possibility of taking over Byng or doing anything with the vacant lot across the street. Everyone needs to realize not a lot is going to happen with this element being taken out of the downtown.”

He said he would support option 2.

“It will be a luxury compared to what we have now. I still don’t like where it is,” said Davidson.

Councillor Thom Paterson said he liked the CAO’s approach to make the project size fit the budget.

“There will be enough provisional items built into the project that we will come in on budget,” he said.

“We’ll probably take it on the chin,” said Councillor Deborah Bronée, “but from a fiscal standpoint it’s probably better at the community centre.”

She said when it comes to accessibility standards, it’s better to build new than try to retrofit.

Two council members, Doug Measures and Deputy Mayor Barry Burton, did not support the project. Burton said he would rather see an addition to the existing library, which is in a prime location. Measures said although it’s the closest he has ever come to supporting a new library in Stayner, he is holding out for an option that would see Nottawa residents get access to the library in Collingwood, where they prefer to go.

There is a report coming from library CEO Jennifer LaChapelle that will address that issue.

When Davidson, perhaps trying to stir the pot, suggested that $25,000 be added to the budget to subsidize those memberships, he couldn’t get a seconder. Measures said they should hold off until they get the data.

Charlton said the library is a place where youth come to do homework, meet with counselors and social workers, where people come to connect with their community and get information. He hopes the new library would have a community living room where people can have a coffee and chat with neighbours.

Council also approved the creation of a building committee to facilitate the project made up of Walker, Connie Leishman, chief building official Scott McLeod, treasurer Edward Henley, Sage, LaChapelle and two additional library board members to be appointed by the library board.

It also directed staff to apply for funding when possible, include sufficient provisional items within the tender to ensure the project is within budget and create concept drawings prior to selecting an architect.

The goal is to have the new branch open by 2018.

LaChapelle indicated that she is prepared to move into the new location without an increase in staffing levels.

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