Evidently some town councillors forgot April Fool’s Day was last Wednesday, not this past Monday. What else would explain their continued wavering on the new Fort Frances Public Library and Technology Centre even at the 11th hour?
Do they not believe our library has out-grown and out-lived its current location on Church Street? Have they forgotten the $835,000 plus local residents have raised/pledged towards construction of a new one at Reid Avenue and Second Street East?
Do they not want to help usher Fort Frances into the 21st century?
Yes, council is responsible for ensuring taxpayers’ money is spent wisely. But it also can be argued their prolonged fence-sitting on the new library project has caused it to be delayed for far too long, which, in turn, has driven the price tag up.
Especially vexing is the fact that the alternative is to spend almost as much money, or at the very least a significant chunk of change, to renovate the existing library so it meets standards for accessibility, among other things. And that’s not to mention the dollars the town already has spent getting this far on the project, which would be flushed down the drain should council opt to axe it at its meeting this coming Monday night.
Talk about a “no brainer” choice.
There are always “what ifs” with any decision, but the library board’s building committee has jumped through all the hoops—and more—that town council has asked, and the people have spoken with their wallets. Frankly, there’s no more excuses to keep foot-dragging on the issue.
It’s time for council to give the final go-ahead for the new library.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
