No fourth floor for Lucy-Faris library rebuild, if space needed, city will build another library
Despite opposition of Aylmer residents to the three-storey rebuild of the current Aylmer library, Gatineau officials told the public during the October 22 council meeting that the city is clear about building a fourth floor on the Lucy-Faris library reconstruction. The mayor went on to say that if Aylmer does need more space later on, it would build another library. “The principle that guided us was that when we need a fourth floor, it is not the resource library that we will expand, but a new local library elsewhere in Aylmer that we will build. The city’s need for a fourth floor for us was not demonstrated,” explained Gatineau Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin at the October council meeting.
The mayor also expressed that despite the historical value of the existing building, demolition is necessary due to structural problems, but he assumed that the city would try to make up for it architecturally.
“The historical value of the building is a mandate that we will give to architectural firms. The library is not only the old town hall, but a jewel for the rue Principale. We want to ensure that this need of residents is met and that is why the process will also be part of a public consultation.
Aylmer district Councillor Audrey Bureau reaffirmed her position on the file stating that, after consulting with the city’s engineers, the decision to demolish the building was the right one.
However, Ms Bureau also said that she shares the public opinion regarding the lack of a fourth floor, expressing that her only consolation is that eventually “the city would serve another area of Aylmer with a neighbourhood library to which people could walk. She suggested that this new library could be located in the Lucerne district, which is far enough from Principale Street to justify the location.
According to the counsellor, the service centre, “well appreciated by the population,” will be part of the services offered in the new construction.
