Library sale seen as good business

Dear Editor, Although I attended the May 15th meeting of City Council, I did not, on behalf of the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce address Council that evening as the Chamber did not expect the impassioned and sometimes uninformed opposition to the sale of the library. The Chamber’s understanding is that the City was interested in selling the library and a local business person made a fair offer on it. While the building is sold, it means only that the library will be relocated – not abolished.

The sale of the library is viewed by the Chamber Board and many Chamber members to be a positive move by Council. The board of the Yorkton Chamber supports the sale of the library to a business for the following reasons:

1) Efficient resource management. By selling the library, the City will begin collecting about $60 thousand in taxes per year. It will reduce the operational and maintenance costs for the building by an additional nearly $200 thousand per year. The city will be utilizing what is currently vacant space in the Gallagher Centre. Further, it is not uncommon for public libraries in this province to be located in city sports and recreation complexes. The Council has claimed repeatedly that it is focused on gaining efficiencies and saving tax payers money. Selling the library to a business makes economic sense.

2) A new business on

Broadway West will enhance the traffic and visitors to neighbouring businesses thereby revitalizing the neighbourhood.

3) The parking pressure on Second Avenue and neighbouring streets will be alleviated with the movement of this business to the space formerly occupied by the library.

Yorkton residents should be proud that a business in this city has grown so much that it requires a larger space. Such business growth and expan- sion should be applauded, not stifled. Council, too, should be applauded for enabling such expansion to occur and for understanding that by relocating the library to another city owned facility is economically prudent. Council made the decision to sell the library and accepted a fair price. It’s now time to move forward.

Sincerely

Juanita Polegi Executive Director and card carrying member of the Parkland Regional Library)