Talking with Steinbach residents about the library expansion project, it has become increasingly clear that the view on the proposed financing of this project is divided. City council should not use long term debt financing for this project. People are not convinced that the larger expansion project of approximately $2.8 million is appropriate at this time.
I would support the original proposal of $900,000 with the addition of the provincial grant of $600,000 for a total cost of $1.5 million. This would be contingent on fundraising verifying support of the project. I don’t think city council should be the primary advocate for this project.
Presently the city of Steinbach supplies funding to the library and the library in turn rents the building from the city. Will the city now be required to provide additional funding to the library to offset the additional rent required from the expansion?
