Two new sites have been identified as possible locations for Powell River’s new library.
At City of Powell River council’s committee of the whole meeting on Thursday, June 19, the prospect of upgrading existing commercial buildings for library use was discussed. July 1
“Today we sit here with two new empty locations,” Mayor Dave Formosa said. “At the time we did the report, the locations of Liquidation World and the old Brick store were not available. They are available now.”
Formosa added they are great locations, they are in the city, and he thinks council should look at them. He said there should be costing estimates for those locations, investigation to see if they can be purchased, and for what price.
“If they can, we should look at them, and if we can’t, then discard them.”
Mac Fraser, chief administrative officer, said following the June 9 library public meeting at Dwight Hall, the city had received an extensive report on public consultation, which will necessitate some actions.
“There is not an absolute imperative today that council make a decision about location,” Fraser said.
He added that perhaps during council’s July 3 meeting, it could confirm its financial commitment, and then move toward library location. Feedback from the library public meeting indicated a preference for the Willingdon South site.
Fraser said that a library site should ideally be identified in the next month, July 1 although previously, the city has gone as late as September to receive approval for a referendum question tied to a November civic election ballot.
“There still is time but we would not want to delay much longer,” he said.
Formosa said he does not think council should rush the decision.
Councillor Maggie Hathaway said she is not sure if residents want a new library or not.
“I hear from people every day on the street and it is about 50-50,” she said.
“We need to ask the people who are going to be paying: ‘do you want a library?’ If you do, where do you want it and are you willing to pay this much money?”
Councillor Chris McNaughton said a number of respondents at the library public meeting indicated they would like to see the city looking at vacant buildings in Powell River.
Councillor Jim Palm said he was in favour of Formosa’s initiative to “repurpose” an existing building. He said it’s important to find a location that is cost-effective.
“If we don’t have a chance to pass a referendum because of cost, why are we even bothering? We need to get the cost in line, the location, and council has to be behind it to seek the funding that is necessary,” he said.
Councillor Myrna Leishman said she wanted to find out more about Liquidation World building. “I don’t think we can rush and make a decision at this juncture,” she said.
Formosa said when a referendum question is asked, it should specify if voters want a want a library, and if it’s yes, they vote for specific locations at the projected cost.
“Add up the numbers at the end and you’ve got your results,” he said. “It’s not brain surgery. I can even do that.”
Fraser said the Community Charter would not allow for that type of referendum question.
Councillors then passed a motion recommending that city council proceed with evaluating the Super Valu site and the old Brick site at Crossroads Village for possible library locations.
