2009-05-05
07:10:23
Fort Frances town councillors will await the outcome of a federal grant application before determining how to proceed with the new library and technology centre.
The town is seeking one-point-one million dollars from the Build Canada Fund. During a joint meeting of council and the library board yesterday, councillor Andrew Hallikas says they have some time to wait.
"There's an extension on the tender," says Hallikas. "That gives us a chance to see how this Build Canada thing comes through. If the build Canada thing comes through, it puts a completely differently complexion on the money."
The proposed contractor, Aurora Construction, has given the town an extra six weeks to make a decision to its contract. Council is hoping for news of its application soon. But while the councillors wait, they remained concerned with the library project.
At yesterday's meeting, some councillors reiterated their concerns about ongoing operating costs while Councillor John Albanese doesn't want to see it built at all.
And councillor Ken Perry says still thinks the proposed building's too big for the community.
"They're looking at these spacial requirements put out by a certain architectural or engineering company," says Perry, "saying 'this is what you need for the size of your new library.' But anybody who's building a new library right now or in the last three or four years have cut the sizes down drastically because they realize per capita, they can't afford the money."
Board members believe the new building will result in savings, and recommending a freeze on operating costs for a period of time to back their claims.
