Proceed with new library

The drive to build a new library here hit a major pothole late last month with news the province had denied a $500,000 grant application to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp.
The decision means the town will have to foot more of the bill for the $3.9-million project—and left councillors scrambling at a budget meeting this past Monday afternoon over how to proceed.
The four scenarios outlined by town treasurer Laurie Witherspoon aren’t particularly palatable, with the “best-case” scenario showing the town still having to kick in $1.176 million, either through long-term debt, tax increases in the 1.3-1.7 percent range, or a combination of both.
Under the “worst-case” scenario, the town’s share would be $1.8 million, financed through long-term debt, tax increases of 2.0-2.7 percent, or a combination of both.
Adding to the conundrum is fear the project will come in above its estimated $3.9-million price tag—prompting Coun. Paul Ryan to warn we’ve then “got another skate park.”
So what’s council to do? Killing the project altogether is an option, but hopefully one councillors won’t take given the need for a new library here that meets the needs of a community in the 21st century.
Delaying the project, which may make sense to some, isn’t the answer, either. While there’s a chance the project may not come in under budget this year, you can bet the cost will jump with each passing year it’s not built.
Putting the project on hold also will likely mean losing the initial $1.6-million grant from the Ministry of Culture, which basically was contingent on getting construction started as quickly as possible.
The only real option for council is to proceed with construction this spring, working closely with the library building committee to keep a lid on costs as well as secure new sources of funding to help cover the loss of the NOHFC grant, including upping the initial $750,000 goal of the “Building for the Future” fundraising campaign, if necessary.
The town came through to help build the Townshend Theatre and Ice for Kids Arena. It’s now time to step to the plate for a new library.