Plans for a new library in Puslinch are expected to go ahead next year, but at least one township councillor has his doubts about the proposal.
“It struck me like a thunderbolt that our library will be coming down,” councillor Dick Visser said last week.
He was referring to a statement by Mayor Brad Whitcombe, who relayed a recommendation of the county’s library board to build a new library instead of renovating the existing facility on Brock Road in Aberfoyle.
Whitcombe, a member of the library board and chairman of the information, heritage and seniors committee that oversees that board, explained members felt a reasonable size for a Puslinch library would be 6,000 square feet.
However, that would mean roughly doubling the size of the current structure, Whitcombe said, so the board felt the best choice is to replace the current library with a new one.
The mayor noted it would make sense for work on the new library to coincide with the construction of the township’s new $2.1-million multi-use recreational facility on the same property. As a result, the board recommended moving the project up to 2010 and pushing back the Harriston library project to 2011. Whitcombe said the board has agreed to a design competition between two firms that have handled other library projects throughout the county.
But Visser questioned the logic of tearing down the existing library. He said he is not opposed to a new library but feels the county should build it elsewhere in the township and leave the current building to be refurbished for another use.
Visser added he did not recall council ever discussing the coordination of the library and recreational projects, and said he would like to see the minutes of any meeting when it was discussed.
Councillor Don McKay said he remembers the conversation but could not provide a date. Whitcombe agreed but could also not recall a date.
Advertiser records indicate the coordination of the library and recreational facility was discussed on at least one prior occasion – June 3, when council received the delegation of Jamie Couper, chairman of the county library board. The meeting minutes indicate all members of council were present for the conversation.
Both projects were also mentioned at council meetings on April 15 and Sept. 2.
Whitcombe said last week the current location is the ideal site for a new library. He said the county and township will have to work together to ensure the coordination of the two projects and also consider requests for space from the community oriented policing (COP) committee and the Puslinch Historical Society.
“All those agreements need to be beneficial to both parties,” said Whitcombe.
Visser suggested a public meeting on the library before the county or township proceeds any further.
“Let’s do this thing properly … talk to the public,” said Visser.
Whitcombe said there always was going to be public input on both projects, but if Visser wants to proceed with public consultation earlier than planned, council can consider that as well.
