Frustration over library project.

Citizens understandably are frustrated by the apparent lack of progress in moving the new central library project forward in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM).

As chair of the Volunteer New Library Build Committee, I share that frustration and want to provide readers a brief overview of where the project stands to date.

In the May 5 edition of the Cape Breton Post, Nancy King reported on the current situation concerning the proposed new library (“CBRM issues tender for air conditioning at McConnell Library”) including the following commitments relative to the project:

1.A contract was committed to/agreed upon by CBRM to install a form of air-conditioning in the existing McConnell Library.

2.A contract has been agreed to and entered into with a consulting firm to determine the furnishing and operating cost of the proposed new library. Work is scheduled to be completed in the late summer/early fall 2020.

3.There appears to be reaffirmation of the CBRM contract with Harbour Royale Development to deliver a Waterfront Development Plan, inclusive of a new library, by June 2021.

CBRM Library Board Chair Amanda McDougall was interviewed for the Cape Breton Post article and appeared to outline council’s current stance on the subject by maintaining that “even if things were to move ahead with plans for a new library, actually opening a new building would be years away so it’s important to make do as best as possible with current facilities.”

It would appear that, notwithstanding the occurrence of COVID-19 and its unfortunate impact, the library remains a legitimate subject of concern. I suspect CBRM council has already begun review of the earlier nearcompleted 2020-2021 budget documents and the public will be notified in due course of any changes including those impacting the proposed new library.

Insofar as the new central library in Sydney is concerned, council might think of equipping itself by creating a small technical committee of existing professional staff that includes CBRM’s engineer, director of planning, current director of economic development and one volunteer citizen with related professional experience.

This committee would be an invaluable vehicle for informing council on both the progress and surfacing obstacles in moving the new library project forward. For example, the chairperson of the technical committee could summon project personnel to appear quarterly and report on the overall status of the project and its component parts.

Also important to note is the anticipated 2020 October municipal elections and subsequent perspective of a new municipal council.

The circumstances surrounding large and expensive projects are frequently subject to change and, where government funding is essential, possible new sources of funding could accelerate their advancement.

Take, for example, the recent announcement by the Nova Scotia provincial government of a $220-$230 million “pandemic” rebuild fund intended to improve infrastructure and boost the economy. If pursued by CBRM and its development contractor, they might gain an advantage by bridging eligibility for that pool of funds to other pools of funding such as the federal government’s 10-year infrastructure program valued at $828,493,161 that is scheduled to expire in 2028.

Federal-provincial funding is expected to be announced for the new $7-million library in Pictou, N.S. Further afield, in Newfoundland & Labrador, the three levels of government announced on May 5 a commitment of $24.7 million to build a new regional aquatic center in Corner Brook.

It is important to re-emphasize that the various completed studies and valued research have confirmed this community’s need for a modern public library facility. Adjustment in project design, etc., may be required to reconcile project costs with CBRM’s budgetary reality.

I suggest that if the will is there, the money is there, too. As owners of the CBRM central library, it is up to CBRM council to commit to the new library build project and, like other municipalities with infrastructure projects, make the ask.