Increasing the library levy is one potential option for funding the proposed branch library at the new rec complex. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW)

By Alison Sandstrom

Complex planning

Council discusses funding for new branch library

Feb 2, 2021 | 2:19 PM

As councillors ponder design options for the first phase of construction of the new recreation complex, they’ve decided not to accelerate plans to build a branch library at the facility.

On Monday night, council voted against forwarding a report on funding options for the proposed library to next year’s budget deliberations. While some of the city’s politicians said they didn’t see the harm in investigating how to pay for the learning centre, others argued they felt rushed and wanted to focus on getting phase one (two arenas and an aquatic centre) of the facility done properly before looking at other aspects of the complex.

The new proposed branch of the Prince Albert Public Library will operate in addition to the main John M. Cuelenaere location, which will remain open.

In September, council asked city administration for information on the cost and funding available for the branch library. On Monday night, the city manager reported the city was in discussions with the Prince Albert Public Library about projected costs and potential funding sources. While the cost of the new branch library is unknown at this point, the report detailed seven funding options including taxation, fundraising and borrowing.

Coun. Lennox-Zepp wanted to see the funding options considered at next year’s budget deliberations and made a motion to forward the report to the budget committee.

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“I suggest that a responsible council would be wanting to start a plan of saving and a plan of funding into the future for the branch library project,” Lennox-Zepp, told paNOW Tuesday.

Meanwhile some of her colleagues wanted to slow down.

“I’m not opposed to it [the branch library], I just don’t want us to be focused on other things when we have a major commitment right now before us that we have to get right,” Coun. Dennis Ogrodnick said, referencing phase one of the complex.

Meanwhile Coun. Don Cody expressed concerns about potential runaway costs.

“I’m worried about all of a sudden we’re going to be pushing other stuff aside that should be in there [the recreation complex],” he said. “And it’s going to be a Taj Mahal of a library.”

Advocating to see the report forwarded to budget, Coun. Ted Zurakowski, said he wanted conversations on the library continue.

“This is a good news project that shouldn’t get hijacked by rhetoric or conversations of extremes, it’s not an either-or,” he said.

While council ultimately decided not to forward the report and discussion about funding for the branch library to 2022 budget deliberations, the councillor who moved the motion said she was glad to have the report as information regardless.

“It is very positive to have our options laid out for us… it assists the planning of the city to be able to have that public document,” Lennox-Zepp said.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom

by Alison Sandstrom

Council discusses funding for new branch library

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