A big decision rests with the people of Temiskaming Shores tonight as a public meeting will provide input to council about disposing of a well-known historic site in New Liskeard.
The town's public library, over a century old, plus the library in Haileybury may be on the block.
Chris Oslund, City Manager, told BayToday the process started back in 2014 when structural issues were discovered with the 3,600 sq. ft. building. and reports determined the building was on about 90 ft of clay and sinking.
"There was a lot of movement of the building," said Oslund. "In all likelihood the weight of the books was contributing significantly to it."
There were other challenges.
It is undersized for the programming the library staff wants to do, and there are accessibility issues with numerous sets of stairs.
"A lot of patrons were having difficulty from an accessibility point of view," says Oslund.
An addition with an elevator was considered, but costs were too high.
So in 2018 the decision was made to consult the public about moving, and the former Medical Centre was vacant and available. Council made the choice of renovation and relocation.
"It's about 8,000 sq. ft. so it's more than double the size of the current library," explains Oslund, adding that the decision was also made to consolidate the New Liskeard and Haileybury libraries into one site. A satellite library will be maintained at Northern College.
The town will spend $1.7 million to renovate the former medical centre and work is near completion, so the library will be moved in early June.
Now, the town is going ahead with the proposed sale of the New Liskeard and Haileybury Public Library Branches.
"We no longer have a need for them and they have certain operating costs to maintain those buildings. The first step is to hold a public meeting. It's about, do we go ahead and sell the building?"
Council will be holding the virtual public meeting tonight, Tuesday, May 19, at 6 p.m., to discuss the proposed disposition of the Haileybury and New Liskeard Public Library branches.
The Liskeard branch certainly is a historic landmark," says Oslund. "It's a designated heritage building, done back in 1985. The designation is specific to the facade of the building. It's made with local limestone and has architectural features and stands out when you're in the downtown core, so I know there is a lot of concern about what that means for the future if the City doesn't own it anymore."
Oslund says the 110-year-old building is protected.
"The heritage destination is listed on the title and it transfers with the property so even a new owner would still be subject to the heritage designations, so they couldn't go out and buy vinyl siding and slap that up over the limestone and take away that heritage feature."
The Cenotaph Park property next door is not for sale emphasizes Oslund.
"It's on a separate parcel of land and that would remain in city ownership."
For more information, visit the City’s Website at: www.temiskamingshores.ca/notice, or contact the Municipal Clerk: at 705-672-3363 ext. 4136
The live-streamed Council meeting can be viewed on the City of Temiskaming Shores Facebook page.
