New library? Magic 8 Ball says "Don't Count On It."

A Tale of Two Libraries (Well, one real library and one imagined one.)

The first tale (Happy!) :

In 2016, a consultant’s report concluded that the central library in Charlottetown should be moved into a new building where “A new modernized library will serve the changing needs of Islanders at a larger, accessible location in the Dominion Building in downtown Charlottetown.”

Then what happened?

A suitable location was decided upon, funding was secured, and this image shows us how the new library will look when it is completed, likely this summer. The province will pay for materials and operating costs.

The Investing in Canada Plan has funded upgrades to or replacements of Canadian library’s 35 times.

The second tale (Not Happy):

In 2012, a consultant’s plan recommended that CBRM look at building a new library as opposed to renovating the existing one, due to the restrictions of the current space.

What happened?

In 2016, the same consultant’s recommended possible sites for a new library.

What happened?

An application for funding for a new library was made, but as pointed out by former Liberal MPs Mark Eyking and Rodger Cuzner, CBRM did not “submit a business case to Infrastructure Canada” as would be required as part of applying for funding.

What happened?

In 2020, there is another study being done, this time focusing on operating costs.

And has CBRM made a complete application for funding for a new library either provincially or federally?

No - that has not happened .Mayor Clarke has said that, “The CBRM’s multi-year capital plan anticipates a new Central Library…”

So, in closing, allow me to present this odd rendition of what a library in the space that Target rented before its current occupiers, The Great Canadian Dollar Store could look like:

 

The shadow people that seem to be mysterious drawn, no, pulled, toward an unknown force pulsating behind the grand white pillars of this mock-up do make me smile.

It is as if the artist is having a little fun with the public – “Your shadows may get a new library in a parallel dimension, but you won’t get one in this Sydney.”

(And who thought that this would look good next to Smitty’s?)

I do not know why other places seem to be able to build new libraries but CBRM cannot.

But this process around getting funding for a new Sydney library has been confusing and dysfunctional.

Let's ask our municipal government to do much better. 

 

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Joe Ward Follow Me
Let's replace our municipal government with people we believe can do much better. Asking the existing version of CBRM mayor and Council to do better is a fool's errand. We have weak and unsophisticated leadership, one of the worst-performing regional economies in Canada, and almost no innovative - or creative problem solving - abilities among those calling the shots. If they were intending to waste tens of millions on an unnecessary Marconi campus move, they should have made the library a component of that build and funded it all together. By the time we make it to the post-pandemic phase, we're seemingly going to face some even greater municipal finance obstacles.
Lorna MacNeil My Post Follow Me
I agree that it is time for another person to be elected as our mayor, and that some Councillors should step aside or be defeated in our next election. It is an important job and I hope that some able, creative, organized people throw their hats in the ring so that we can all benefit.

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