There appears to be a great deal of confusion throughout downtown Fergus about the proposed expansion to the Fergus Library and the BIA Riverwalk Beautification project.
As a result, the Fergus Business Improvement Area sent out a summary of the issue.
The Newsletter stated Wellington County committed to renovating all of their Carnegie libraries a number of years ago.
Further, Wellington County has determined that based on the population of Fergus, projected growth, and the changing needs of a library in the 21st century, it needs to build a much bigger library in Fergus (5,000 square feet in 1911 great, not quite enough in 2012.)
The BIA came to the table seeing this as a timely opportunity to partner with the township and county to get some riverwalk revitalization done.
The BIA has invested $36,000 over the past 2 years to retain a landscape architect, have plans drawn up, and be a partner in the project
The BIA also had concerns that if the county cannot build a 15,000 square foot library in downtown Fergus, it will have to be built elsewhere since the library cannot continue in its current footprint
The proposed building size requires the removal of 17 parking spots behind the library, other riverwalk revitalization work and access issues would require the removal of another 17 for a total of 34
On it’s own, the Fergus BIA does not have a large enough budget to complete the Riverwalk revitalization project and the Wellington County and Centre Wellington are required as partners. Further, the Newsletter suggested if the County library project does not proceed, neither does the Riverwalk revitalization project
The BIA has promoted the Fergus Library expansion because it is a $5 million investment will transform a neglected area of downtown that desperately needs transformation
The BIA’s mandate is to beautify the downtown and attract exactly this type of investment by others
The Fergus BIA annual general meeting is Oct. 24, from 7-9pm at Stone Gable Hall, 181 St Andrew St East, Fergus.
