Major boost

Shaw Communications wasn’t the most popular company among some circles here when word filtered out in late June that it was revamping the way it handled local programming, which cost the job of Randy Thoms, who appeared to be well-liked and respected for his work in bringing community events to the airwaves.
Shaw’s commitment to Fort Frances certainly cannot be questioned, however, after Deb Avis, vice-president of marketing, was in town yesterday to announce the Calgary-based company was donating $175,000 to the “Building for the Future” fundraising campaign for a new library here.
In a word: “Wow.”
Library board chair Joyce Cunningham, for one, could barely contain her glee over yesterday’s stunning donation, which pushed the campaign’s total to $706,000—well within reach of its $750,000 goal. It was a major boost not only financially, but also morale-wise for a committee that’s faced its share of setbacks over the past 16 months in trying to make the Fort Frances Public Library and Technology Centre a reality.
There’s been questions about the new library’s size and design, its location, and even whether it was needed at all. Most recently, the library board took flak for its decision to stick with a stand-alone building on Reid Avenue rather than support a joint facility in conjunction with construction of a new Robert Moore School.
With Shaw’s major contribution, and the campaign goal clearly in sight, hopefully everyone’s focus and energy now will be channelled towards raising the remaining local share of the money and getting on with construction of what will be a valuable asset to Fort Frances.
It’s great to see the library project get new wind in its sails—and equally gratifying that a company which makes money here has chosen to give back so generously to our community.