A 1,250 square-foot expansion of the Rockwood library is on the books after Guelph-Eramosa council approved a $435,625 estimate for the work.
On Feb. 3 Robin Milne, township director of parks and recreation, presented council with a recommendation to move ahead with the project, including a leasing agreement with Wellington County that will see expanded senior programming.
Council gave early approval for the work, which will be part of its 2014 budget deliberations.
The library is owned by the township and leased by the county. The lease agreement expired at the end of last year, pending a new agreement being worked out between the two municipalities that would see the per-square-foot lease rate paid by the county go to $12, with an increase of 2.5 per cent per year over a five-year term.
Milne said the new agreement is now in its “draft stage,” with final approval pending.
“They seem to agree with that,” he told council.
“The proposed addition to the Rockwood library is estimated to be $375,625,” Milne said in a report to council. “An additional $60,000 is being added to the budget to replace the existing front retaining walls, stairs and the addition of an accessibility ramp that meets the requirements of the county.”
Milne said currently the community room of the library is used jointly by the township and county, but is not part of the lease arrangement.
“The township would like to use the community room as a dedicated space for older adults,” Milne added. “The county requires the use of the community room for library programming.”
Operation of the library would remain at posted library hours.
The cost would be funded from the Rockwood Hydro fund, Milne said. The funds would be amortized over 10 years at an interest rate of 2.5% annually with debenture payments set to start Jan. 1 next year. Revenue from the lease agreement would cover the cost of the work.
