Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

More than 100 Ormstown residents participated in a public consultation regarding the future location of the municipal library on September 17 at Chateauguay Valley Regional High School.

The municipality had hoped to gauge the public’s opinion on options for renewing or relocating the library, but attendees called on the council to instead delay any decision until after the November election.

The meeting was led by Stéphane Bernier of the Montreal-based architectural and design firm Aedifica. He explained that the library’s current lease on Isabelle Street will expire at the end of the year, and a decision needs to be made before then.

Bernier described the advantages and disadvantages of the current location as well as proposed renovations to the town hall basement to accommodate the library. He then presented three scenarios, and what each might represent financially for the municipality.

A straightforward renewal at the Isabelle location would cost $640,498 over five years, including rent, hydro, insurance, internet, and furnishings. A proposed reduction in rent by building owner Mathieu Huot would represent an investment of $502,585 over the same period.

The municipality estimates the third scenario of renovating the town hall basement to accommodate the library, as well as the creation of a courtyard linking the library to the outside, would cost $265,615 over the next five years.

Citizens then asked questions and expressed their concerns. Some questioned why other options were not being considered, such as moving the library back to its original location next to the recreation centre. Others expressed concerns about the basement as an unsuitable location, while several citizens cautioned against rushing the decision.

Huot, who was in attendance, said that extending the lease to allow a new council more time to form a decision would be possible.