No issue has been more divisive for this community in the past few years than a new library.
Location and cost have pitted citizens against one another in debates that at times have been acrimonious in the extreme.
There are people who want a new library, no matter where it is located, and are willing to pay for it. Others want a new library but not at Willingdon South, a piece of vacant land on Marine Avenue next to Willingdon Beach which has a covenant attached to it they claim precludes building a library on it. Then there are those citizens who do not want or see the necessity for a new library at any location for any price.
Last week, a group of business people which owns Crossroads Village Shopping Centre, made an offer to the City of Powell River that would allow it to own part of the centre.
Most of the shareholders live in Powell River and others grew up here. They are committed to the community and its future.
Going to court to acquire the shopping centre years ago, they have since worked to upgrade portions of it, including the second floor of the old Brick area. They have already sold a section to Quality Foods, which only builds stores in premises that it owns.
The city would have a new library in an area of the centre that formerly housed The Brick furniture store and receive rent from second-floor tenants, assuming the position of landlord.
It has that role because it owns buildings at Timberlane that are leased to organizations for a nominal amount. It does not typically look at something that has a major revenue stream attached.
While cost estimates for a new library at Willingdon South and other locations, such as Powell River Recreation Complex and former Liquidation World on Joyce Avenue, require renovations around $10 million, the Crossroads crew is offering the two-storey section for $4.9 million, including updating the exterior and nearly $700,000 for furniture, fixtures and equipment.
Council members, during this term, have discussed looking at ways, other than taxation, to help with a funding deficit. This is one such opportunity that they can consider.
Can this possibility be the solution to a situation that has divided citizens for several years? Will Powell River finally move out of the designation of having one of the most inadequate libraries per capita in the province? Could this mean we can move on to other issues that our community is facing?
Watch for the next chapter in this ongoing tale of a literary location divide.
