FORT FRANCES—The “Building for the Future” fundraising campaign has now exceeded the $210,000 mark after the local Kiwanis made a pledge of $25,000 towards a new library Thursday afternoon.
The Kiwanis officially made the announcement at its noon-hour meeting at La Place Rendez-Vous, promising campaign chair Mark Kowalchuk a pledge of $5,000 a year for the next five years.
This money will be dedicated to the children’s programming room at the new library.
“I would like to thank you for your commitment to the future,” said Kowalchuk. “You certainly should go down in history as the first service club to lend their support to this campaign.
“We’ll see you at the grand opening,” he added.
The Kiwanis’ donation reflects its mandate: “Young Children: Priority One.”
“The focus of the Kiwanis is largely kids, and at the library, there’s many programs that are extremely beneficial both to the children and the population at large,” Kiwanis treasurer Robin Wright said Friday morning.
“Beyond that, the Kiwanis has always been a supporter of the Fort Frances Public Library,” he added. “This is just an extension of our support and our belief in the overall benefit of the library to the community and the district.
“Pledging $25,000—$5,000 each year for the next five years—is something we think is very worthwhile, not just as part of the mandate of the Kiwanis Club but also for the community and district,” noted Wright.
“The new library is badly-needed and will certainly go towards promoting the community.”
Wright stressed Fort Frances already has top-notch facilities, such as La Verendrye Hospital, the Memorial Sports Centre, Townshend Theatre, and others, and that having a new, accessible library would be yet another asset for the town.
“When you’re looking at bringing new people to town, whether they’re physicians or other medical people, or teachers or other professionals, people potentially look at what’s available in the community,” he noted.
“Having a strong, vibrant library, especially one built on one level, it adds to the overall options of the community.”
The public is encouraged to give any amount to the “Building for the Future” campaign. Those who want to give should call the library at 274-9879 or drop by in person.
Donations in any amount are welcome, and donors even can spread their pledges over five years. Payment options, like Mastercard, VISA, or automatic deductions, are something donors should consider.
All donations over $25 will be issued a tax receipt.
As previously reported, the new library—to be located at the corner of Second Street East and Reid Avenue—will cost an estimated $3.8 million, with the local fundraising campaign having to raise $750,000.
The balance is being funded through government grants, such as the $1.6 million announced by the Ontario Ministry of Culture in early February.
The concept behind the 17,000 sq. ft. library is to be a modern facility that offers a variety of programs and services to meet the technological and literacy needs of the community.
It will be a single-level building, accessible to everyone.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
