Two meetings set for library expansion

by David Meyer

CENTRE WELLINGTON

The county’s plans to expand the Fergus Carnegie library is now heavily involving the township and the Fergus BIA.

There are two meetings set next week to see the plans and to provide feedback on the proposals to the county.

The first is on June 25 and it is for members of the Fergus Business Improvement Area (BIA) at the Brewhouse pub from 6 to 8pm.

The second is a public meeting on June 27 at the sportsplex in Fergus.

BIA president Jackie Fraser said in an interview the Monday meeting is so members can get a look at the concept plans.

The BIA executive met this Thursday (June 21) and saw those plans.

Fraser said holding its meetings in advance of the public meeting will give members lots of time to decide what their comments will be at the public meeting.

The BIA is already working on its own project to enhance the river lands between Templin Gardens and St. David Street, and that gives the members a chance to consider “what’s possible,” she said.

Fraser added parking and the loss of some spaces as the library expands into Templin Gardens is another issue members will discuss.

“We’re hoping the membership will come out,” she said. “It’s an exciting project. We want to make sure everyone is up to speed.”

She noted the BIA has retained its own landscape architect for the project along the river.

Township parks and recreation director Andy Goldie said in an interview on Monday that between the BIA’s plans for the river and the township’s involvement with Templin Gardens behind the current library, the plans seem to be coming together.

“We’re blending those with the county’s proposed expansion of the library,” Goldie said.

He said the public meeting would show people how the area from Templin Gardens all the way east to St. David Street will look under the expanded library.

The township meeting is June 27 from 6:30 to 8:30pm at Unity Hall at the sportsplex.

Goldie said the idea is for citizens to provide feedback because “the county is wanting to move forward.”

Wellington County is expecting to open its Harriston library on June 28 at about 3pm after holding its county council meeting.

Chief librarian Murray McCabe said right now he is focused on that project, and seeing that people and equipment are moved in.

After that, the focus turns to the Fergus library, the last major library project scheduled in Wellington County. The ambitious plan, which has seen millions spent on library construction and renovations, began 13 years ago with Erin’s Centre 2000.

June 22, 2012