Soaring costs may put a new Vernon library out of reach. An architect’s report suggests a new library/municipal office building could cost $28 million, up substantially from the earlier anticipated $18 million. “Every councillor went, ‘Oh, my God,’ when they saw the $28 million,” said Coun. Jack Gilroy. Gilroy has been a strong advocate of constructing a three-storey building between the existing library and city hall. But the price tag has dampened his enthusiasm. “We will have to see if we can afford it,” he said, adding one option may be to apply for government grants. Gilroy believes the price may have climbed because of the growing cost of construction in B.C., and he admits it could change again. The architect’s report just reinforces Coun. Barry Beardsell’s opposition to the building. “It (cost) doesn’t surprise me at all and such a building would ruin the civic complex,” said Beardsell. Beardsell believes the city-owned Coldstream 
Hotel property should be considered for the library, but that still doesn’t resolve the issue of finances. “With the enormous costs, 
Okanagan Regional Library will likely expect city taxpayers to subsidize the facility in a major way, which is like double taxation on the citizens of Vernon,” said Beardsell, pointing out that local taxpayers not only pay city taxes but also directly fund ORL.
Hotel property should be considered for the library, but that still doesn’t resolve the issue of finances. “With the enormous costs, 
Okanagan Regional Library will likely expect city taxpayers to subsidize the facility in a major way, which is like double taxation on the citizens of Vernon,” said Beardsell, pointing out that local taxpayers not only pay city taxes but also directly fund ORL. Despite the bottom line, Gilroy insists something still needs to be done for the library, which is undersized for the community. “It makes sense logistically to put it there,” he said of the site’s proximity to city hall, which is also at capacity. It’s expected the architect’s report will go before the Okanagan Regional Library board Feb. 21 for consideration. “We have to make sure the library wants to go into it,” said Gilroy. Carol Williams, ORL chairman, was caught off guard when she learned about the potential cost of $28 million. “We’ll have to take another look at things,” she said.
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Feb 14 2007 EDITORIAL Costs place library in doubt http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
It appears like a new library branch in Vernon has been given the kiss of death again. An architect’s report has determined that a new library/city office building could cost a staggering $28 million. Plans for a branch were put on hold last year when the costs for a proposed cultural complex went out of control. And while the $28 million could be reduced if the amount of underground parking is trimmed, the scope of the project will still have a significant bite on taxpayers. Especially when any price projection now will likely climb because of skyrocketing construction costs across B.C. The reality, though, is that a new library branch can’t be put off for much longer. The community has grown by leaps and bounds over the last few years, but services at the library haven’t kept up.
It appears like a new library branch in Vernon has been given the kiss of death again. An architect’s report has determined that a new library/city office building could cost a staggering $28 million. Plans for a branch were put on hold last year when the costs for a proposed cultural complex went out of control. And while the $28 million could be reduced if the amount of underground parking is trimmed, the scope of the project will still have a significant bite on taxpayers. Especially when any price projection now will likely climb because of skyrocketing construction costs across B.C. The reality, though, is that a new library branch can’t be put off for much longer. The community has grown by leaps and bounds over the last few years, but services at the library haven’t kept up. Greater Vernon is woefully under-served by its library. Because of the urgent need, one has to wonder if Okanagan Regional Library shouldn’t just go it alone when it comes to developing a branch and move away from a joint project with the city. Even a stand-alone facility will be expensive, but hopefully it will be more affordable than adding two floors of city related offices.
But the city has tied ORL’s hands when it comes to options. Zoning dictates that a library must be downtown, although there are few large tracts of land there. Other areas of Vernon may have the land as well as providing access to commercial/residential traffic, but the city has insisted that downtown is the only place for a library. In the end, bureaucratic regulations and inflated construction costs likely mean the current library will be here to stay for some time.
But the city has tied ORL’s hands when it comes to options. Zoning dictates that a library must be downtown, although there are few large tracts of land there. Other areas of Vernon may have the land as well as providing access to commercial/residential traffic, but the city has insisted that downtown is the only place for a library. In the end, bureaucratic regulations and inflated construction costs likely mean the current library will be here to stay for some time.
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