New library location confirmed

With one year to go, Thunder Bay Public Library said its up to the challenge of completing a new library despite concerns from the neighbouring community centre.

The library board held a public session Tuesday for the new Mary J.L. Black Library, being built next to the West Thunder Community Centre in Westfort. More than 50 people showed up to the meeting held at St. Martin School on Mary Street West.

Barbara Clara, president of the board of the West Thunder Community Centre, said she isn’t happy with the new library being built and wants the city to reconsider.

"I’m not against libraries being built," Clara said. "We can’t run the community centre properly (If they build the facility)."

Clara said the 9,200-square foot building would take a portion of the community centre’s parking lot.

Clara added that there needs to be more public input and that the city and library board muscled their way to get what they wanted.

Coun. Joe Virdiramo said despite the ambitious deadline, they are listening to people’s concerns.

"We’re listening to the people," Virdiramo said before the session started. "We want to hear what people have to say and hopefully the library board will make a decision that will (satisfy) the community."

Gina La Force, chief librarian with Thunder Bay Public Library, said the next steps for the new library includes construction drawings, tendering and awarding a construction contract. The construction for the facility scheduled for this summer, with competition by the end of March 2011.

"It’s a whole year away," La Force said. "We’re working very closely with the city on this. It is an ambitious schedule but I think we are up to the challenge."

Mary J.L. Black library first opened in 1938. The facility went under renovations in 1998 and celebrated its 70 anniversary in 2008. However, La Force said the old facility didn’t accommodate people and found it over crowded with people.