Thunder Bay Library CEO Advocates for Expanded Programming Space and Extended Hours at New Central Library
Released on Monday, the library’s 2024 Master Facilities Plan details proposed new library models, including a central library at Intercity Shopping Centre.
The report outlines three options for the future of the library system:
- Maintain the status quo, keeping all four existing branches (Waverley, Mary JL Black, County Park, and Brodie) open.
- Build a central library, close the Brodie branch, and keep the Waverley, Mary JL Black, and County Park branches open.
- Build the central library, close the Brodie and County Park branches, and keep the remaining branches unaffected.
In contrast, option two would involve ongoing annual operating expenses of about $8.1 million, while option three would require approximately $7.6 million annually.
Both options two and three promise significantly expanded programming space and extended operating hours compared to the library’s current offerings.
“Some of the really interesting financials that came out of this is that to maintain the status quo, the cost of that actually meets or is more expensive than to actually invest in a new facility like the Central Library,” TBPL CEO Richard Togman said. “Those capital costs of maintaining our old, aging buildings are really high.”
