The Alice B. Donahue Library and Archives board has refused to move to the new secondary school site, but Athabasca town council may not agree.
After a lengthy discussion during last Tuesday’s meeting, council decided that more meetings are in order before a decision is made about the library’s future.
The library board had sent a letter to council stating their decision to not move the Alice B. Donahue Library and Archives up to the new school site.
“The new high school envisioned having the public library as part of the building and considerable discussion has taken place among the public, the boards and local politicians in regards to the advantages and disadvantages of such a move,” reads the letter. “After serious thought and discussion, the library board moved at their meeting of June 18, 2015 to not locate at the site of the new high school.”
The letter went on to state their reasoning behind their decision, including the lack of archive inclusion and the proposed size of the school’s library.
Council’s discussion began with councillor Tanu Tyszka-Evans making a motion to accept the letter and to direct the library board and administration to start creating a business plan for a new library – a motion that was not well received by many of the councillors.
“I understand the concerns that the library raises,” said councillor Timothy Verhaeghe. “I have some concerns about the letter that was written — more so what went into it — but I think it's a little premature to shut the door on this project and say, 'Let's move in another direction.’”
Tyszka-Evans disagreed.
“This isn't a result of lack of planning or something. As we all know, this project has changed in scope since the beginning,” he said.
“This is a body of volunteers that have dedicated their spare time and their energy to making this library very successful, and I would caution this council in overriding their decision arbitrarily. These people know what they're talking about.”
Councillor Nichole Adams added, “I think that they're feeling that it's not going to meet their needs for their plans for the future at this point, and that's why they want to take a step back and try to pursue another option — and I support that.”
Those councilors who disagreed with the content of the letter suggested that the main issue is what would happen if the library didn’t move.
“If we do close the door completely, I honestly don't know when the funds and the resources will be there for a new library,” said Verhaeghe. “So … the option is, does the library board want to remain where it is for the next 20 years or however long it is, or does it want a new state-of-the-art facility?”
The motion to develop a new business plan was defeated with only Adams, Tyszka-Evans and councillor Shelly Gurba voting for it. Discussion then turned to holding a meeting between all the parties: Aspen View Public Schools, the library board, the town and the county.
“I do view this as a potential opportunity that's deserving of full exploration,” said Mayor Roger Morrill. “I guess at some point this council will be responsible for making that decision as to when that final exploration is done, and I think as councillor Evans said, maybe many of us at this table have not been party to some of the conversations.”
Councillor Joanne Peckham added, “I don't think there's been enough meetings with all members in the room.”
Neither Adams nor Tyszka-Evans were overly impressed with the addition of more “bureaucracy” to the project.
“How much more can you negotiate when you're told there's no room to negotiate?” said Adams. “I don't think more discussion is necessarily going to change the parameters. I don't think it's going to magically create more funding or pull out the unicorn, fairy, pixie dust and we'll have the best facility ever.”
However, the motion passed with Adams, Gurba and Tyszka-Evans voting against it.
