Melfort council approves planning for new library

The report to councillors recommended a stand alone building. Last week councillor Brian Enge told northeastNOW that would avoid potential conflicts with the KVC, which is frequently used for community events. The report said the cost of $4.7 million would be the same, whether it is attached or not.

However, some councillors wondered if there are efficiencies available in joining the two buildings.

“I’m asking pros and cons of stand alone versus attached,” said councillor Trent Mitchell. “I think there’s an opportunity probably for some economies of scale by having it attached…I just want more details on the benefits and the cons of that.”

Councillors amended the motion to allow either option. Councillor April Phillips said the report is a starting point.

“We’ve talked about this for a long time,” she said. “You need a starting point…and I think this study helps us do that,” she said.

“We can look at fundraising, we can look at grants…it may take six years, it may take ten, it may take four, I don’t know, we’ll see, but this gives us that focus,” she said.

The report, by Group2 Architecture-Interior Design, looked at several options, including renovating and enlarging the existing library or renovating the Historic Post Office to house the library.

Renovating the historic post office is estimated to cost $7.3 million.

The cheapest option was renovating the existing library, estimated at $4.1 million. However, the report said space for expansion at the current site is limited, and would likely require a second floor. It also said there is the potential for extra costs in renovating a 47 year old building, and pointed out it would have to stay open during renovations, which would be a challenge.

The report said the city and region need a library that’s about double the size of the existing Melfort Public Library.

doug.lett@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @DougLettSK

by Doug Lett

Melfort council approves planning for new library

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