West Kildonan residents reassured library branch to remain open

Concerned residents are lobbying the city to ensure their beloved library doesn’t shut down or miss out on needed repairs, as the city moves toward leasing library space at a mall.

In 2022, residents rallied to save the West Kildonan library, as the city considered closing its 365 Jefferson Ave. location and moving it to a leased space in the Garden City Shopping Centre.

After community backlash, city council cancelled that plan and kept the branch open.

On Thursday, a group that fought to preserve the West Kildonan library said a new city proposal to lease space for an additional library at the shopping centre has reignited their fear about the branch closing.

“We are concerned that the new branch will be used as an excuse to close the West Kildonan branch,” said Harriet Zaidman, a member of the Friends of West Kildonan Library, during a property and development committee meeting Thursday.

Council has not set aside money for repairs at the Jefferson branch, despite a May 2024 report that called for its roof to be replaced within 18 months. Zaidman said there’s concern library funding is being diverted elsewhere and the West Kildonan branch is not being properly maintained.

“When will it be done? Where does this renovation sit in the fray of the current budget?” she asked.

City council considered three options to renovate the building last year, including; a $6.3-million plan to keep the library’s existing program, services and layout with some life-safety and accessibility improvements; a $7.5-million proposal to add programs and services, a larger elevator, new service desk and a children’s reading playground; and a $10.7-million option to expand the facility by 2,400 square feet, meet all current building codes and accessibility standards, improve energy efficiency, and add an outdoor reading garden.

The heritage designation protects the branch from demolition and preserves many of its exterior and interior elements but does not guarantee it will permanently operate as a library.

During Thursday’s property and development meeting, a councillor bluntly questioned the heritage protection.

“That place is a dump… Wouldn’t you want to have a brand new library?” asked Coun. Russ Wyatt (Transcona).

Zaidman rejected that claim, stressing the library is functional and beautiful. She told reporters the community needs reassurance the branch is a funding priority.

“(City) council committed that it would be used as a library… (but) we are concerned that they will change their mind… We want to both press that that very well-used library will be maintained as a library, and that progress will be made on the redevelopment of the building,” she said.

Zaidman said the West Kildonan branch is critical to keep, due to its prime location near schools and a community centre.

Coun. Evan Duncan (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood) said council will consider funding updates and repairs of the West Kildonan branch in future budgets.

“It will definitely be a budget consideration. My main goal is to ensure that the 20 libraries that are existing, and soon to be 21 libraries, are all opening and functioning,” said Duncan.

If an urgent repair is needed for the building’s roof, city staff should seek funding to address it, he said.

“The main concern is, is West K. library closing? No, it is not closing,” said Duncan.

The library lease proposal would use a 14,490 square-foot space to create an additional library at Garden City mall, which the property and development committee voted in favour of Thursday.

The city would pay annual rent of $210,105 in each of the first five years, $224,595 for years six to 10, and $231,840 for years 11 to 15. The city would also pay $2.4 million to improve the mall space, while the provincial government would provide $2.5 million, and the mall owners would spend $1.9 million.

The city would also cover property taxes, operating costs and garbage collection fees at the facility, at a cost of about $205,468 per year.

Duncan said other public libraries are successful in leased spaces, including the Charleswood branch.

“We just need to make sure that this library gets opened and that it’s well attended. I think that it will be well received in that community,” he said.

The library lease requires a final council vote.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

X: @joyanne_pursaga