A long-awaited report on the feasibility of building a new library on the waterfront paints a lose-lose-lose scenario: wrong building on the wrong site for the wrong amount of money.
It’s no wonder the Powell River Public Library board has sat on the report, prepared by Pharos Fundraising Strategy + Communication, for almost three months. Its findings have forced the board to rethink its strategy to salvage something from the wreck.
It’s no surprise to anyone that the proposed location, a vacant lot known both as the old arena site and Willingdon South, is a problem. A telephone poll found that 43.2 per cent of respondents support a library but not on the Willingdon South site and a further 20 per cent oppose a new library. The consultants called this “a significant hurdle to overcome.”
Reading through the comments in the report, it’s clear that the location is not the only concern people have about the project. The $9.5-million price tag looms large as well. Even though the library board chose the people who were interviewed, they expressed concerns about whether the community could afford such an expensive building.
The telephone poll included the question, how often do you use the library? Of the 452 respondents, 48.2 per cent said very little or never, 26.9 per cent said occasionally, and 24.8 per cent said regularly. Any politician looking at that number would have to question the need for a $9.5-million building on a prime piece of waterfront.
The report also mentions that a multi-use building, one that combined a museum and art gallery, would have a better chance of success. That idea was part of the waterfront development plan from 2005, which did have widespread support from residents in the community.
There would likely still be opposition to a multi-use building on the site, as some people believe it should remain a park with no building on it. But at least a multi-use building would have the benefit of tapping into the partnerships that would be formed through developing the idea and building a strong base of support.
The board is now proposing that the City of Powell River pays for new designs at one or two different locations. That’s estimated to cost $50,000, a bill to be paid by taxpayers. The board also wants to keep the Willingdon South proposal in the mix. As some residents and library supporters like the design and the location, it’s not surprising that the board wants to keep the concept alive.
Overall, the consultant’s report found strong support for a new library, a firm foundation on which to continue to find a solution. Hopefully this time around the library board gets it right.
