Rimbey library seeks larger premises
The Rimbey Municipal Library is planning on expanding.
It wants to take over all of the building it shares with municipal administration should the town’s negotiations to move into the provincial building’s upper floor prove successful.
“We only have hope for expansion plans,” said librarian Jean Keetch.
She said that although nothing is certain, she wants to try to have funding ready.
Town council unanimously agreed recently to support the library’s application for a federal Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund grant of $189,750 to match what the library would raise locally.
"They’re just saying to the grant people . . . we’ll make sure there’s money to complete the project.”
About $400,000 in renovations are needed to make a larger library, completely handicapped accessible.
“We’re so crowded here we’re terrified people might trip and fall,” she said.
She said a new sound system is also required for the hard of hearing.
The half building’s current 2,600 square feet falls far short of the 6,500 recommended by Alberta Public Library Standards for the library’s service population of 6,900 town and Ponoka County residents.
Keetch is confident the library can fundraise its half of the money.
“Rimbey is full of very generous patrons, people and businesses that have been very supportive in the past,” she explained.
“If we don’t get the town building, we’re looking at probably trying to raise a couple of million dollars.”
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