CBRM council delays decision on new central library while board seeks alternate sites - Action News
Home WebMail Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 02:21 AM | Calgary | -2.2°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
Nova Scotia

CBRM council delays decision on new central library while board seeks alternate sites

Cape Breton Regional Municipality is holding off making a decision on a new central library while the library board examines alternative locations that might be preferable to the old courthouse.

Library board to study alternative locations that may be preferable to old courthouse

A two-storey cement building with pillars in front is shown with several large trees on the grounds.
Cape Breton Regional Municipality had been considering the old courthouse on Wentworth Park for a new central library, but council has put off the decision. (Tom Ayers/CBC)

Cape Breton Regional Municipality is still months away from making a decision on a new central library, an idea that has been studied and discussed for more than 15 years.

For the past year, council has been considering renovating and expanding the former courthouse on Wentworth Park, but on Tuesday, council decided to wait for at least one more study.

Coun. Eldon MacDonald, who chairs the library's board of directors, said there was no need to rush a decision just because the courthouse owner is getting ready to vacate the building.

"This isn't about delaying anything," he told council. "It's about getting it right, and getting it right isn't about me accepting a building for a dollar because the federal government's ready to unload it."

Instead, the library board is ready to fund its own site selection study to look for alternative locations, he said.

"I'm looking for the options that we were supposed to have, that in my opinion we've never received."

A man with short dark grey hair and a white beard and moustache holds his chin in one hand with two fingers on his cheek.
Coun. Eldon MacDonald says the former courthouse is more than 60 years old and he has "serious concerns" about the building's condition. (Tom Ayers/CBC)

An engineering study released in January found the old courthouse building could be turned into a new central library at a cost of roughly $30 million.

MacDonald said the building is more than 60 years old and was deemed structurally able to accept renovations, but that doesn't mean it would be ideal.

Some of the interior corridors could be unworkable for library uses and the building might still contain asbestos, he said.

"I do have some serious concerns about the courthouse building," MacDonaldsaid.

Some councillors said the library needs a new facility that is built to suit the needs of the community, while others said the courthouse presents an opportunity to get a new library sooner rather than later.

Coun. Darren Bruckschwaiger said council needs to make a decision instead of kicking the can down the road.

"We'd all like to drive the Cadillac, but if we can only afford the Datsun, that's where we are," he said.

Council decided to wait on the library board's study on possible sites, which MacDonald said could be ready for council and publicscrutiny in a couple of months.

Mayor Amanda McDougall said once a location is finalized, CBRM will have to call for another study on potential design and building costs.

MORE TOP STORIES

Add some good to your morning and evening.

Get the latest top stories from across Nova Scotia in your inbox every weekday.

...

The next issue of CBC Nova Scotia newsletter will soon be in your inbox.

Discover all CBC newsletters in theSubscription Centre.opens new window

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Google Terms of Service apply.