Bonnyville may have a new place to hit the books after the local library expressed an interest in relocating to the Bonnyville and District Centennial Centre.
Librarian Ina Smith noted the library board’s decision is still “very much up in the air,” but the possibility has been a topic of discussion since the C2 suggested it in July.
After Portage College left the facility, the Centennial Centre conducted a study to get suggestions on what could fill the empty space. One of the options was to have a library move in.
“It has to work for both of us. There are things that we’re going to want to make sure... we’re going to have a list of questions that need to be answered before we’ll say for sure if this is what we’re going to do,” detailed Smith.
One of the queries is whether it would be a suitable spot, and if there’s room for future growth.
“There’s been a lot of discussion over (relocating), because we really like our location (now). We’re close to the schools, and we’re close to Bonnylodge. To give up this location... we’re doing a lot of soul-searching for that,” Smith stressed.
Library board chair Brian Wood said they’re open to the possibility of changing locations, but agreed with Smith that they’re happy with their current location.
“Our function is to make sure there’s a sufficiently, financially, acceptable library operating for the citizens of Bonnyville and the surrounding area,” he expressed.
Changing from their own building to a shared one was another concern the board discussed, and the impact that would have on their overall independence.
The subject of how much space the library would gain was another talking point, which goes back to a study completed by the Town of Bonnyville in 2016 about expanding.
“I’m thinking this is a chance to maybe get more square footage without having to add onto the library, and it would also take care of the space in the C2,” noted Smith.
The town has allocated $1.5-million toward the future expansion and renovations, which is slated for 2019.
As the available area in the C2 was originally designed with a post-secondary setting in mind, there would need to be work done to meet the needs of the library.
“According to the preliminary estimate, I think it’s around 3,000 or more (square feet) than they have now,” CAO Mark Power expressed, adding it would be substantially more space.
One of the positive aspects of relocating includes more residents utilizing the service.
“There’s advantages of being at the C2... you’re reaching out to different people who are using the C2 that maybe don’t come to the library (now),” expressed Smith.
A major component on the project relies on the cost, and how it would compare to upgrading the current building.
“It comes down to... the money that it takes to renovate that facility for our use, maybe it’s going to be less expensive than trying to renovate the one we’ve got,” Smith explained.
While the ultimate decision will be left to the Town and MD of Bonnyville, Power said, “It was good to hear the library is in favour of moving if that’s what the two councils decide.”
Public engagement is something Wood would like to see before a final decision is made.
“I should think that it would be quite reasonable for the citizens of Bonnyville, at some point, to be asked the question ‘where they might want the library to best function?’... From a philosophical point of view, I should want some citizen input into what the consensus would be before a move was made, as well.”
