A plea to relocate the library at the recently vacated Parkland Manor has not fallen on deaf ears, but council is concerned about the high cost of utilities should the provincial government entertain the proposal.
At its meeting Tuesday, council discussed the suggestion and a letter from Rimbey Library Manager Jean Keetch.
In the letter Keetch proposed the Rimbey Municipal Library take over a portion of the Parkland Manor. In her letter she said the library would be willing to pay for the small renovations needed to make the building safe such as the addition of walls at the beginning of some of the corridors to prevent patrons from going down all the hall. The library would also assume costs for the installation of the Supernet. Security cameras would be installed.
The library wishes to use the A-wing, the kitchen, dining room and games room for space.
“This will give us increased space for our collection, office space, programming space, storage space and access to a beautiful green space outdoors. It would also leave lots of space for people to sit and visit, or quietly read a book,” Keetch said in her letter.
Keetch said relocating the library to the former Parkland Manor would create a win/win situation.
“They (the province) would have someone in their building and have a small portion of their utilities paid. The town would not have an empty building that they would need to worry about, and the library would have more space.”
Mayor Rick Pankiw is concerned about the cost of the utilities.
He said during the six months that the manor was occupied in 2017 it cost Rimoka $25,283 for gas, $24,250 for electricity and $11,249 for water and sewer.
Utility costs for one month since the building has been evacuated are $755 for gas, $895 for electricity and $200 (approximately for water and sewer).
Pankiw said these costs, which would be assumed by the town, would be higher if the building was occupied.
“This is without the lights being on,” he said.
Pankiw also noted that the town would continue to pay utility bills at the town hall even though the library portion of the building was vacated.
“To me (to meet) those costs (to keep both buildings operational) are beyond our ability.”
Pankiw plans to talk to Keetch before deciding on a further plan of action.
The matter has been tabled until the next council meeting.
In her letter, Keetch said it is her understanding that the costs of the refurbishing is prohibitive and that the Alberta government is going to let the building sit empty.
“Empty buildings soon become a liability in a community. They not only attract rodents, but also often undesirable humans as a place for drug deals and other illegal activities.”
However, Pankiw said the Alberta Government is simply following procedure.
“At the end of the day they own the building.”