2009-04-14
06:51:19
Fort Frances town councillors voted down last night a construction contract for the new library and technology centre.
Nearly fifty library supporters left dejected after a 5 to 2 vote against accepting the $3.7 million contract. Councillor Rick Wiedenhoeft says it was the overall costs of $4.7 million and the town's portion that swayed him to vote no.
"My concern is that if you look at the potential expenditure of this project," say Wiedenhoeft, "the potential expenditure could be in the high of $1.5 to $1.6 million....if things don't fall into place. I think if you look at a project of this size, you have to look at the potential expenditure as being a possibility."
Councillor Ken Perry also felt the town was not in a position to proceed.
"I think the plan for the library is too grand of scheme for us," says Perry. "I'm afraid that down the road we're not going to be able to afford the budget of a new library. When you build a bigger building, the budget for the new building is bigger than the old one and that's what's going to happen here."
Chair of the Fort Frances Library Board Joyce Cunningham was disappointed by the decision. The board's been working toward a new library for nearly 15 years. Cunningham doesn't believe there's anything more than board can do.
"This is something that would be good for the citizens of the community, but it would also be an economic stimulus," says Cunningham, "and in fact when we received the $1.6 million (from the Ministry of Culture) that was a major part of the reason we got that. so I'm extremely disappointed by what has happened."
Cunningham also stands by comments made last week that a no vote would essentially kill the project. The decision by council came as word of a $25,000 donation from an unidentified donor was set to be announced.
While all of council agreed there was a need for a new library, only councillors Sharon Tibbs and Andrew Hallikas felt council should have accepted the contract.
