HomeMy WebLinkAboutADMIN-20-99 THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
REPORT
lqlqMeeting: General Purpose and Administration Committee File #
Date: June 21 1999 Res. #6 A 31,`"`
Report #: ADMIN 20-99 By-law #
Subject: BOWMANVILLE MAIN BRANCH LIBRARY
Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Council the following:
1. That Report ADMIN. 20 — 99 be received;
2. That Council approve in principle to utilize the LCBO property for the purpose of
accommodating a new Bowmanville Main Branch Library as well as to provide for
additional office space for the Administration Centre;
3. That staff be authorized to take all necessary action and to bring back a detailed
report which, among other matters, shall deal with space requirements, preliminary
building configuration, financing, timing, etc., and;
4. That the Library Board be advised of Council's decision.
REPORT
1. The existing Bowmanville Library was built in 1964, at the time when the
population in Bowmanville was about 7,000. Since then, Bowmanville's
population has swelled to about 25,000 and is still growing at a fairly rapid pace.
Council, Library Board and staff are aware of the current acute space deficiency, but
in recognition of other priorities over the last several years, any plan for expansion
or building a new facility has been placed on hold.
2. In May 1999, the Library Board approved a document entitled "Building The
NETWORK" which contains several objectives. The first objective reads as follows:
"Begin planning for the building of a new Main Branch (Bowmanville) to be
completed by January 2003. Actively work with Members of Council to
further this project."
3. The Chief Administrative Officer held meetings with the Library Director and
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ADMIN. 20-99 PAGE 2
advises that in order for municipal staff to investigate the feasibility of locating a
new library branch, a recommendation should be made by the Library Board,
specifically with regard to a preferred location. In this regard, the Chief
Administrative Officer received a letter from the Chairman of the Library Board
(attachment #1) advising of the preference of the former LCBO property to
accommodate a new library facility for Bowmanville.
4. The Chief Administrative Officer has been reviewing the future office space
requirements of the Municipal Administrative Centre and concluded that additional
office space is required now, in order to relieve the congested situation within the
existing space. In order to meet both the short term and long term need of the
Municipality, it appears prudent to plan for the additional space now. From the
point of view of achieving optimal operating efficiency, new space should be
closely tied to the existing Municipal Administrative Centre. In this regard,
constructing a new building to accommodate both the new Library and to provide
additional administrative office space appears to be an attractive option, which
would be cost effective in construction as well as confirming Council's intention to
keep the major government building within the Bowmanville historical downtown .
5. Preliminary discussions with the Treasurer and the Property Manager indicate that
combining the new library and municipal office space is a viable option and
appears achievable with little or no tax implications.
6. In order to allow staff to move the project further, staff is requesting Council to
endorse the concept of constructing a new building on the former LCBO property,
based on the above described scenario. A complete report, including details of
financing, building configuration, space allocation, parking, timing of construction,
hiring of an architect, etc. will be provided some time in September 1999.
Respectfully submitted,
Franklin Wu,
Chief Administrative Officer
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Attachment #1 to
Report ADMIN.20-99
June 10, 1999 clannglon Public Library
Telephone:(905)623-7322
Administration:(905)623-9742 Fax:(905)623-9905
62 Temperance Street,Bowmanville
Ontario,Canada LIC 3A8
Mr Franklin Wu,
Chief Administrative Officer,
Municipality of Clarington,
40 Temperance Street,
Bowmanville,Ontario
Dear Mr Wu:
1 understand from our Library Director that preliminary planning has begun into the feasibility of locating a
site for the new main branch for the Clarington Public Library in Bowmanville. I also understand that
currently the preferred site is immediately to the west of the Municipal offices on the old LCBO site.
In the Board's newly adopted five year strategic plan,the priority ranking for all new projects is clearly
listed as:the new main branch;the completion of the current Courtice location to its full size;the relocation
of the Newcastle Village site and a study for the need/feasibility for a northern gateway branch. The new
main branch is identified as a top priority.
With respect to the proposed location,the major reservation which the board would express would be with
the lack of parking in the immediate vicinity. Parking has always been a concern of our patrons and the
board shares those concerns. The Library Director has informed me that Council is aware of the parking
difficulties in downtown Bowmanville and would work towards reducing this problem through the
acquisition of all suitable lots to be used for parking purposes.
On June 10, 1999 the library board met to discuss these issues and passed a motion which supports in
principle the use of the lot directly to the west of the Municipal offices(formerly the LCBO lot)for the
purposes of a new main library branch in Bowmanville with the understanding that all options for parking
will be explored.
I look forward to speaking with you to discuss this new project,developing plans to meet the library's
needs and look forward also to exploring all options for sharing resources and services. On behalf of the
Board,I would like to extend our appreciation to Council and Staff for considering the library in their
future plans.
Yours sincerely,
` I
Craig Brown,
Chair,Clarington Public Library Board
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