The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is starting to develop a plan for needed building repairs at the Gibsons and District Public Library, expected to cost upwards of $750,000 this year.
The SCRD held a special meeting on April 20 to look at a facility audit of the library detailing its many structural deficiencies and discuss next steps. In attendance were SCRD board members and most of Gibsons council, including Mayor Wayne Rowe.
Also at the meeting was Gibsons and District Library board chair Manjit Kang, who presented some interior reconfiguration plans the board hopes can be incorporated into any changes made on site.
The facility audit noted the library’s flat roof design and gravel top have made it a nesting ground for seagulls over the years and has also allowed water to pool, resulting in leaks, which makes it an urgent concern.
Other problems highlighted in the audit include the need to replace the air conditioning units on site, replace all exterior sealants, replace soffits, close off rooftop overhangs, enclose the balcony, remove climbing vegetation from outside walls and install bird deterrent devices.
Overall the audit rated the library in “poor” condition, but noted the cost to replace it would be about $2.1 million, while repairs were pegged closer to $750,000.
An accompanying report from treasurer Tina Perreault recommended that staff “begin engaging consultants to develop a scope of work to address the immediate building issues” right away.
“It is recommended that work begin as soon as is possible in 2015 as the roof has started to leak and the building envelope, soffits and facia continue to deteriorate,” her report stated.
Directors agreed something had to be done soon, with West Howe Sound director Ian Winn saying a pitched roof design could solve the problems with the pooling water and the nesting seagulls and provide more storage space for the library.
The need for more space was the crux of Kang’s pitch for reconfiguration, and some directors suggested that adding a second floor while undertaking repairs may be the best option.
In the end, directors voted unanimously to develop a scope of work plan and to have a detailed review of building structure undertaken to determine roof options and load carrying capacity for the possible addition of a second floor.
Staff will present the final work plan and the projected debt servicing requirements at a future meeting.
Currently there is a capital reserve balance of $188,500 in the Gibsons and District Library function with another $50,000 slated for contribution each year, but that won’t be nearly enough to pay for the needed repairs.
Perreault noted in her report either short or long-term debt financing are the only “legislative options to fund capital.”
The Gibsons library was built in 1996 and funded through the SCRD, which is why it belongs to the regional district and not the Town of Gibsons.
