The 7th Council of the Region of Queens Municipality. Photo: RoQ.
In a release issued on Thursday, the Region of Queens Council provided an update on the ongoing search for a new location for the local library. According to the release, the Liverpool Business Development Center, situated on Harley Umphrey Drive, is being considered as an ideal space for the library’s relocation. The Center boasts ample parking, access to green spaces, and more room for programming, making it a promising option.
The release claimed a notable advantage is that the Liverpool Business Development Center is owned by the Region of Queens, offering potential long-term stability for the library. The current lease for the library’s location at the Rossignol Centre in Liverpool is set to expire at the end of 2024.
In Nova Scotia, municipalities bear the responsibility of providing suitable spaces for regional libraries. However, finding a new site has proven to be a source of contention for the Region of Queens Council.
In the 2022/23 budget, Council allocated part of a $3 million surplus from federal and provincial governments to construct a new library. Subsequently, a committee was formed to recommend a site, ultimately proposing Queens Place. Despite the committee’s unanimous support, Council initially rejected the option in June 2022, citing concerns about its remoteness for residents of the Liverpool area.
In January 2023, the committee reaffirmed Queens Place as the optimal site, and this time, Council approved the recommendation. However, in March, Council rescinded its approval in a recorded 5-3 vote upon discovering that extending the driveway to the proposed site would cost $950,000.
The Liverpool Business Development Center is now being considered as an alternative. If approved, the library would share the space with existing tenants, including Global Empire Call Centre.
Council is expected to review a draft design concept for the new library, and if they opt for the Liverpool Business Development Center, additional design work will be necessary before renovations commence. The decision holds significance for the community, as it determines the future home of a vital local resource.
