Duane Hicks
Town council unanimously supported proceeding with the request for proposal (RFP) process for the Fort Frances Public Library and Technology Centre on Monday night, bringing a measure of relief to library board chair Joyce Cunningham.
“It’s a good feeling. Each time we get to a new stage, it’s a good feeling. This is a very important step,” Cunningham said after council received a final report outlining the building’s size and estimated costs, and then supported the library board’s position to proceed with RFP process.
The library board expects to initiate the RFP process in January, and begin construction in the spring.
Between now and January, the library building committee will work with architect John Knox, who is finalizing drawings of the library and technology centre, on details like the locations of outlets, data ports, and furniture while also looking at the Shaw Communication Room and what technology they want in there and how it might be configured.
While council clearly expressed interest in moving ahead with the RFP process, several councillors pointed out Monday night that prior to getting any dollar figures back from the RFPs, it’s not clear whether the town will be able to afford to finance its share of the project.
“I am totally in favour of going ahead with an RFP . . . to find out what the market really is,” said Coun. Paul Ryan, conceding he expects the 2009 municipal budget to be one of the toughest the town’s ever faced due to a loss in assessment.
“We’ll have a better opportunity to discuss [the town’s share] when we get the results,” noted Cunningham, who also warned that if the project is delayed another year, the costs will go up once again.
She also noted the library received $1.6 million from the Ministry of Culture in February, 2007 and felt further delaying the project is “risky.”
“I find it extremely embarrassing when I am face-to-face with a representative of the provincial government, having just written a letter saying, ‘Invest in infrastructure for libraries,’ and then being faced with having to explain why I did receive a sum of money that has not been spent,” Cunningham remarked.
Coun. Sharon Tibbs said she supported going forward with the RFP process, but took exception to any notions the current council had caused the project to be delayed and drive the costs up.
“I think it’s unfair,” she remarked, adding the town made applications for funding that just didn’t materialize this past year as well as having an overall responsibility when spending tax dollars.
“I think we all want to be responsible with tax dollars,” said Cunningham, adding she didn’t want to dwell on the past.
“This is a very exciting project . . . and I look forward to working with members of council to make it happen,” she added.
Coun. Andrew Hallikas said it’s about time council lend its support and move the process forward.
“The last time the library committee was before us, we sent them away with a couple of tasks,” he noted. “Some members of council thought the library was too large, others thought the fundraising wasn’t what it could be.
“I have to say they’ve come back to us with a proposal where they’ve cut this thing to the bone . . . and I am extremely impressed with the amount of fundraising and the generosity of the people of Fort Frances,” Coun. Hallikas added. “I am absolutely in favour of going forward with a request for proposals.
“I certainly endorse the Fort Frances Public Library and Technology Centre and hope the rest of council does, too.”
“I think we, as a council, have to proceed with the RFP. We’ve been putting this off for two years now,” noted Mayor Roy Avis. “I think it’s time we really took a good, hard look at it.”
While he does support the concept of a new library, Coun, John Albanese said he hasn’t liked the location of the new library since “day one.” Instead, he’d like to see that land reserved for an expansion of the Memorial Sports Centre.
Even so, he stressed council “is doing the best we can with what we’ve got in front of us” and if they had the money, even he would agree to go ahead with the project.
“I just want to recommend we go forward with the RFP and thank the board for the incredible amount of work they’ve done and continue to do on behalf of the citizens of Fort Frances,” said Coun. Rick Wiedenhoeft.
Coun. Ken Perry also agreed with going ahead with the RFP process.
The library building committee’s report included an up-to-date budget for the revised project, showing a projected building cost of $3,941,871, with an extra $383,371 included both to cover an estimated 12 percent inflation in building and material costs due to delay, as well as redesign fees in the amount of $25,000.
This makes for a total budget of $4,325,242.
The report also noted the “footprint” of the structure has been reduced from 13,770 sq. ft. to 13,650. Its original footprint was 17,000 sq. ft.
It also outlined areas where costs possibly can be reduced, including replacing the metal roof with a 20 year shingle roof; modifications to interior light fixtures, acoustic ceiling tiles, the low slope roof, and parking lot; and reductions in the use of decorative faux stone, landscaping, and new furniture purchases (desks, tables, chairs, and cabinets from the old library will be used).
Any proposals that come back will include pricing for the aforementioned features in their original form as well as the cheaper alternative, noted Cunningham.
