----- The library building can be salvaged
Re Malcolm Thorne's comments (on plans to demolish the library). I have documents for him. The first is hard evidence (a Genivar report) that the current library building can be salvaged, and at a much lesser cost than the city's demolition budget ($6M adjusted for inflation vs. $50M currently proposed for the new building). The city has never shown evidence for their statements like "just looking at the building, it obviously can't be saved". Any transparency has disappeared with the pandemic.
The second document is a presentation I prepared for the city, Councillor Duggan in particular. It was ignored.
Petitioning for a better deal for Place des Pionniers for years, I've been generally ignored by the city, despite the evidence I've provided and a petition by over 500 people asking for a better deal. I've met with the mayor and councillors multiple times, but despite reassuring comments nothing has changed for the better compared to their initial proposals. I've seen no receptiveness to outside opinions.
There's little time left, and progress is difficult in today's circumstances. If Mr. Thorne has more ideas I'd be happy to meet, virtually or otherwise.
Ian Barrett
Aylmer