Town council and staff could pick up stakes and move to a new location and, in the process, Rimbey Municipal Library could find themselves with a new, expanded facility.
At its regular meeting, Nov. 29, council discussed a report by CAO Tony Goode stating word has been received the town could lease the space at the Provincial Building for $2,917 per month including utilities on the condition they assume a 10-year lease.
Goode said the town could move to the Provincial Building and sell the town office building to Rimbey Municipal Library Board for $1 and turn operational costs over to them.
The final option Goode suggested was leaving the office where it is.
The CAO said it makes sense to sell the present building to the library board.
“We can’t afford to operate two buildings,” he said.
Goode noted the Provincial Building now houses FCSS on the main floor.
“Moving there would accommodate town services, which is a plus. On the other hand, the disadvantage would be it would no longer be in the centre of town.”
Mayor Sheldon Ibbotson said moving to the Provincial Building is worth serious consideration.
“If we don’t move out the library would have to find another location. And the province would be responsible for the upkeep of the building. It might end up being cheaper in the long run.”
Earlier this month council agreed to a request by librarian Jean Keetch to include a letter of support for the library to apply for a matching federal government grant of $189,750. The funding would go toward the expansion and renovation of the library in anticipation of acquiring the town’s portion of the building.
The town provides an $82,000 grant for the town.
The issue is to be discussed at the library board meeting in December and will be taken under review during the town’s budget deliberations.
“If everything came together we could be moved in the spring,” said Goode.