Aylmer Library decision: lease now, build later

“Did you not get the memo that you lost the last election?” asked Councillor Ted McDonald of former mayor Jack Couckuyt at the Monday, Oct. 5 council meeting.

Cr. McDonald tore into Mr. Counckuyt after his presentation to council in support of building a new downtown library. While mayor, Mr. Couckuyt failed to get enough council support to build a new library adjacent the the current branch, located in the first floor of Old Town Hall.

After a brief discussion about finding an expanded library space for an Aylmer branch of the Elgin County service, councillors directed staff to research available lease space in the town’s Business Improvement Area (BIA or downtown core) of approximately 6,000 to 8,000 square feet.

A lease for a new expanded library space would be over 10 years and the existing smaller space of just over 3,000 square feet on the first floor of Old Town Hall would be closed.

Staff were also directed to report back with all of the other projects that have already been set in motion and how they are being paid for to help paint a picture on how reserves could be built to eventually raise the money necessary to construct a new stand-alone expanded library building in Aylmer’s BIA.