Points to ponder

Dear sir:
Last week’s edition of the Fort Frances Times contained several articles concerning projects affecting the future of the town.
First there was the headline on the anticipated new library, as well as the Publisher’s Pen observation and lastly the committee report on border traffic.
All very interesting and informative.
The school board’s suggestion was like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds to open another option for the proposed library and the citizens of Fort Frances and Rainy River District.
It seems a natural fit to have a library and a school in close proximity to each other. The site is central, and has such a large accommodating property that parking or expansion should never be a problem.
The present public library programs are geared to parents of toddlers and pre-schoolers, and isn’t it a natural progression to have children of elementary school age continue to avail themselves of the public library’s functions right through to high school?
It would seem to be an easy transition.
The location of a school library and a public Library at the same building site would not necessarily mean total integration. Each could be independent of the other, but with shared costs in the area of construction and maintenance.
If the sharing of these costs permitted the community to have the public library that the library committee envisions, and allows the citizens of the area to afford the costs, then everyone wins.
Consider the following pictures:
1. A hockey arena, pool complex and exercise area, a skateboard park, and a library in the same location; and
2. A modern new elementary school and a modern new public library and technology centre at the same location.
Which picture seems to best highlight the benefits of the old and young of the community?
Incidentally, the media has reported recently on the success of our area swimmers in their chosen sport. There has been good participation in the programs offered, and the instructors, coaches, and parents must be very proud to have local swimmers performing at the all-Ontario and Canadian levels.
Congratulations to all.
Couldn’t this success mean greater interest on the part of future swimmers? Could it also result in the need for expansion of the present facilities or even the replacement of the present pool complex?
In this event, wouldn’t the present location be the best place to start? Yet there is no doubt the seemingly imposed location of the new public library would prevent such a project.
If new considerations delay the plans of the library committee, since these buildings are only built every 100 years (both the original library and Robert Moore School were built at the turn of the 20th century), wouldn’t it be worth it to receive maximum benefit from taxpayers dollars?
Meanwhile, the border traffic committee report in the media points to a very interesting and challenging summer insofar as accessing the local border crossing.
It can’t be disputed that road work in our area has to be done during the summer months. Unfortunately, the timing coincides with the heaviest traffic volume on our roads.
It seems there will be ample signage to direct traffic during the construction season. It will be a challenge, though, to negotiate the Second Street designated truck route at school bus loading and unloading time at Robert Moore School, and could expose children and others to dangerous situations.
Those who rely on traffic crossing the bridge must be very concerned. The tourism industry is a large part of the economy of our area. Local stores on both sides of the border also rely on locals going back and forth.
If it is found to be too difficult to cross at this location, tourists and locals alike could be forced to find more inviting ways to carry on their business. This at a loss to local area operators and merchants.
Most thought-provoking in the paper’s articles was the paragraph saying “Within five-10 years, digital signs will be erected at critical locations along roadways to inform motorists of border wait times.”
It probably can be assumed that the international bridge is controlled by the federal and provincial/state governments of Canada and the United States.
If, as media reports say, this is considered a fairly large port of entry, then it seems strange that the above controllers wouldn’t look at the situation of the bridge and come up with a solution so this area of Northwestern Ontario could be properly serviced.
An attractive, easily-accessed crossing could benefit both Fort Frances and International Falls by making it a practical commercial connection, as well as a fun destination for anyone wanting to visit the area.
Shouldn’t it be expected that the four levels of government should be able to provide the citizens of both sides of the border, as well as the other stakeholders, with a bridge of which we could all be proud.
It would be a shame to wait 10 years and only add digital signs explaining bridge delays instead of tackling the problem.
Meanwhile, awaiting the construction of a new technology centre makes Fort Frances a nice place to live and a progressive community.
Yours truly,
Kenneth J. Egan
Fort Frances, Ont.