New Dundee and Mannheim need a NEW LIBRARY!

It is no secret that this corner of the Township is in dire need of a new library facility. The current facility is too small for amount of users who frequent the public library and doesn't provide appropriate space for programming. Our current facility is not accessible for those with walkers, wheelchairs and strollers and is limited with stacks because of its size.

Did you know that the New Dundee library is the only Regional library in the Township that we don't own? Currently, the Region of Waterloo pays the rental costs for the facility, however the Township owns the Baden and New Hamburg locations.

Over the past year and a half, I have been working closely with Township and Regional library staff to locate a NEW library facility for our community. I have made this a priority to have completed before this term of council ends in 2010.

So far, we have made site visits to 4 potential new library sites but not yet found a final location. We need a location which is central, large, has adequate lighting and is available for sale or rent.

I have been approached over the past six months from numerous people about the former TD Bank building on Queen Street as a potential library facility. This site does appear to be an ideal building and location for us; we have been in discussion with TD since they announced that the bank was going to close last year. While efforts to save the branch in New Dundee were unsuccessful, we may be able to realize a new library instead.

I hope to see a recommendation come to Council this year as to a new location for the New Dundee Library branch - which will also include impacts to the municipal budget with the purchase price and renovations. I hope to make this a reality soon!