A report recommends replacing the Melfort Public Library with a new building. Doug Lett/northeastNOW staff

By Doug Lett

Melfort new Library

New stand-alone library proposed for Melfort

Dec 11, 2022 | 8:00 AM

A consultant’s report is recommending Melfort build a new, stand-alone library to replace the 47-year-old Melfort Public Library.

The report, by Group2 Architecture-Interior Design, recommends the new facility should be built beside the Kerry Vickar Centre, but not attached.

The report looked at several options, including renovating and enlarging the existing library or renovating the Historic Post Office to house the library.

Renovating the historic post office is estimated to cost $7.3 million while building a new facility is estimated at $4.7 million.

The cheapest option is renovating the existing library, estimated at $4.1 million. But councillor Brian Enge, who chairs Melfort’s community services committee, said renovating the existing library also carries the most risk.

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“That is a very old building that is in need of major updating, and then there’s always the unknown when we get into it,” he said. “So all of a sudden you get into a project and oh, we’re going to need another 500 thousand dollars, another million dollars to continue this job…I have seen that in other operations where businesses or buildings have tried to renovate existing, and in the long run it has proven itself to be not as cost-effective as starting from the ground up,” said Enge.

He said the committee is recommending building a free-standing library next to the Kerry Vickar Centre, because the cost is the same whether it is attached, or free-standing.

Report recommends a free standing library next to the Kerry Vickar Centre. Doug Lett/northeastNOW staff.

“The current (heating and cooling) systems in the Kerry Vickar Centre can’t just absorb another building on top of it,” Enge said.

“The cost comparison, to building on and making many improvements to the heating and cooling system at the Kerry Vickar Centre, versus having a stand-alone building – they’re basically the same. So there are no cost savings.”

Enge added having the library free-standing means they avoid any potential conflicts with the Kerry Vickar Centre, which often has space rented out for community events.

City council will look at the recommendations at its regular meeting on Monday. But Enge points out that even if council approves the plan, there is a long way to go before anything gets built.

“Next steps are looking for different revenue streams, possibly sponsorships, government grants on the federal and provincial level …there’s a lot of work that needs to go on before a shovel even goes in the ground, and a lot of it will have to do with funding,” he said.

Enge said the long-term goal is to have a library that will need the needs of the city and the region for many years to come.

“They are not just about books and paper anymore,” he said. “There is a tremendous amount of ongoing programming…It’s become a major hub of information.”