Powell River is one step closer to occupying its new library facility after signing of the final agreement for the building.
“We now have a deal with the owners of this building at Crossroads Village,” City of Powell River Mayor Dave Formosa said during an announcement Monday, August 31, at the new library site. “We know it is going to be a tight budget for them but they will deliver us a great product, working with the library board and our staff. We’ll end up getting what we need. We are sure it is finally going to give the people of Powell River what they were after with the new library.”
Formosa said in finalizing the library agreement, the city and Powell River Public Library project proponents want to thank the ownership group at Crossroads Village for making the new facility a reality. The mayor said Powell River voters strongly supported the November 2014 referendum for the new library, voting 79 per cent in favour, so the community is anticipating construction.
Under the terms of the referendum, the city is authorized to borrow up to $3.5 million for the project, with an all-up maximum cost of $4.9 million. The difference between the city’s borrowing and the total price will be made up through fundraising coordinated by the library.
Ron Woznow, chair of the library’s fund development committee, said a team was put together last November. The team has been working on collecting donations through major gifts and special events. Through special events, for example, the library is planning to partner with community organizations such as Pacific Region International Summer Music Academy (PRISMA). It is hoped a major event will take place during next year’s program.
The library has already raised $27,000 toward the required $1.4 million it needs to raise.
“We think that people understand that a vibrant library is important to the community,” Woznow said. “We expect, working with individuals, organizations and corporations, we will be able to raise the money required.”
In terms of the library construction schedule, Formosa said the way he understands matters, now that an agreement is in place, engineering drawings will be forthcoming.
“To me, that’s where the rubber hits the road,” he said. “Now the process will move forward.”
Formosa said the hope was that construction would have been underway in August but the agreement had not been completed in sufficient time.
“Now, the Crossroads group is comfortable and they are prepared to get out there and start creating the drawings that we need to move forward,” said Formosa. “Once we have those we can put forward a critical path and timeline as to the anticipated opening day.”
Formosa said, now the library project has reached its current stage, he thinks everyone is optimistic and happy that everything will move along. “Before you know it we will hear hammers and saws,” he said.
Jon van Oostveen, library board chair, said the library board is very happy with the new library’s progress.
“This project has been a real test of everyone’s endurance,” he said. “Powell River will now have a library space that is worthy of the great work and programming that is being done every day by our library staff.
“The library board is excited to finally move forward with the plans that we have been working on for over seven years. I want to thank all who have been involved for their tenacity in making a new home for our library in our community a reality. Finally, we have got a place that will reflect how good our library really is.”
Patrick Brabazon, Powell River Regional District chair and regional district library board representative, said the district contributes funding to the operation of the library annually.
“This is a new development,” he said. “The four electoral area directors involved will have to decide which way we want to go in the future. I am just so pleased that we have a new library.”
