New look on books
Fenwick library designs presented.
Pelham Public Library’s Maple Acre branch advisory committee has a lot on its books.
With 109 comment sheets handed in and more coming as a result of an open house on plans for the Fenwick branch, it must assess response to two proposed architect designs.
The four-hour event Wednesday at Pelham Fire Station No. 2 drew a steady flow of people,
Many were unhappy with the suggested modern designs for a new building that would be connected to the original 1919 library, said committee member Gary Chambers.
The contrast was too jarring for some people not only to the older building but also how it would reflect against homes, restaurants and stores in most of downtown Fenwick.
Marianne Stewart said the town put in gaslight style street lamps during last year’s reconstruction of Canboro Road and “then they propose this.”
More appealing, however, is an interior design of the $1-million 334-square-metre (3,600-square-foot) addition.
It is to include a lounge, computer room and historical records work room, along with children’s activity and multi-purpose rooms that can be rented.
Mayor Dave Augustyn called the open house very successful.
“It shows people really care about their community,” he said.
The advisory committee will analyze the results of the threequestion comment sheets and discuss them with the architect, the mayor said. The sheet will also be put on the town’s website, www.pelham.ca.
Architect Robert Eland said the questions not only ask which design is preferred by also why it is preferred.
“That is very helpful to know,” he said.
The other two questions ask: what are programs envisioned for the library and how frequently a person plans to use it.
Kirk Weaver, Pelham library’s chief executive officer, said the exterior view of the Maple Acre branch is something for the community to decide.
They have to look at it as they go by, he said.
He is pleased with the interior design and looking forward to working with it to make the branch a place for people in Fenwick to visit and use regularly.
“It will provide a civic presence for the town in Fenwick,” he said.
He hopes to have the new branch up and running by the fall of this year.