A great axiom for Powell River’s proposed new library is that one can’t judge a book by its cover.
Some may sneer at City of Powell River Council preparing a referendum question to ask for assent to situate the library in an old shopping centre rather than housing it in a gleaming new edifice. Council, however, has made the right call.
Its decision to locate the new library at Crossroads Village Shopping Centre is purely economic. Regardless of any credit that might be taken by special interest groups, money was what settled the issue, not rancour.
Prior to choosing the Crossroads Village site, Mayor Dave Formosa and some council members said under the right circumstances, a showpiece at Willingdon South would have been ideal. Formosa and other council members stated, however, they were not prepared to go to referendum for any location with a $10-million price tag. All four of the proposals examined by the Miller Hull architectural firm—Crossroads Village, the former Liquidation World (also known as Super Valu) site on Joyce Avenue, Willingdon South and Powell River Recreation Complex—had price tags near or over the $10-million mark. The Crossroads Village owners brought their own proposal to council at half the cost.
Powell River voters have proven fickle in past referendums. When council initially attempted to move the RCMP station from the old courthouse building on Marine Avenue to its current location on Barnet Street, voters balked at the high price tag. The city came back to the electorate with a less costly second referendum and the referendum passed.
In August, city councillors were given a draft five-year capital spending plan. Projects include: Powell River airport GPS; renewing city equipment; a new fire hall; a new library; roads; technological upgrades (software); liquid waste management facility and Haslam Lake water main. This is a staggering list of projects.
At the low end, and with a $5-million library, budgeted capital expenditures are calculated at more than $21 million. Liquid waste management has not been finally expensed, with estimates between $6 and $25 million. So, at the high end, and with a $10-million library, the projects would be in excess of $40 million, which is a fortune for a little city.
Crossroads Village is not the perfect location for a library but it has to be better than the current one. Here’s hoping the saga enters a new chapter after November 15.
