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8 Stouffville Sun-Tribune | Thursday, July 23, 2015 | Library expansion not large enough, councillor tells colleagues BY SANDRA BOLAN sbolan@yrmg.com "Finally, something is happening," CAO Marc Pourvahidi told The Sun-Tribune Wednesday, the morning after town council decided to go ahead with a new design for the library/leisure centre expansion. The project still requires other approvals from council before a shovel goes in the ground. Once complete, the WhitchurchStouffville Public Library is expected to be approximately 34,600 gross square feet in size, which is "a lot more than what they asked for," Pourvahidi told The Sun-Tribune. The space will serve a population beyond the 55,000 anticipated by 2021, he said. The current library is 15,425 gross square feet and that does not include the approximately 300 square feet of storage space in the basement of the Silver Jubilee and the roughly 1,000 square feet of large multipurpose room space the library regularly utilizes, he said. The library requires more collection space, in particular for its audiobooks, DVDs, CDs, tablet and leisure reading, according to the library board. Also requested are study areas, a seminar room and children and teen areas. Carolyn Nordheimer James, CEO of the library, was not available for comment. Councillor Maurice Smith was the only one to oppose the expansion, citing the 18,600 gross square foot expansion was not enough. seniors to 6240 main, gallery The building's expansion also includes space for the Latcham Gallery, a new fitness area, indoor playground and a new child minding/preschool program room. The expansion will likely be on the southeast side of the current building, according to Pourvahidi. The total cost is estimated at $12,825,000 plus HST and a 10-percent contingency. The true cost will not be known until the project goes to market, Rob Raycroft, director of leisure and community services, told councillors Tuesday night. A second indoor pool should be built at the Clippers Sports Complex on Weldon Road, staff suggest. Once the Latcham Gallery vacates its current space next to 6240 Main St., the 55+ Club will take over the entire building. "They are happy," Pourvahidi told The Sun­Tribune. The July 21 staff report did not mention the seniors, nor did council discuss them during Tuesday night's meeting. The facility was recently renovated and what was once the Care and Share Thrift Shop was trans- formed into multipurpose space. About 90 per cent of that renovation will remain in intact, Pourvahidi said, noting the kitchenette they installed will have to be replaced with a full kitchen. The CAO also said the space will be suitable for the seniors for about eight years. The final design for the expanded leisure centre/library is expected to go before council this fall. The cost will be put into the 2016 budget, which is scheduled to be deliberated in late January, which will enable construction to begin in February with completion slated for spring of 2017, according to Pourvahidi. BENEFITING MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE HOSPITAL & THE MARKHAM STOUFFVILLE GIRLS HOCKEY ASSOCIATION THURSDAY AUGUST 20, 2015 DOORs OPEN AT: 25 YEARS OF HELPING OUR COMMUNITY HEAR! 6PM TICKETS on sale now PAUL CALANDRA MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, OAK RIDGES - MARKHAM LIVE AT: STOUFFVILLE ARENA 12483 NINTH LINE, STOUFFVILLE, ON HOSTED BY: $10.00 It's not always enough to see it all, you need to HEAR IT ALL! Free !* a P rking CO HOSTED BY Cody Hodgson Stouffville's Own: Brad May PRESENTING SPONSOR PLATINUM SPONSOR $2400 OFF* Markham 203-377 Church St. UP TO A pair of the latest technology hearing aid instruments. Hurry! Offer expires July 31st, 2015 *See clinic for details. Conditions may apply KEITH ACTON Luke Gazdic Teddy Purcell Trevor Carrick Sam Carrick Jeff Marek Joe Bowen Will Acton Natlaie Spooner Tessa Bonhomme ...& Many more MEDIA SPONSOR TORONTO HEARING SERVICES 340-1333 Sheppard Ave. E., The Audiology Centre North York Markham Stouffville Hearing Services 416-498-4151 905-471-4327 711-1243 Islington Ave. West End Hearing Services Etobicoke 416-233-8581 For more information visit www.PaulCalandra.com/hnis or contact the office of Paul Calandra, MP 905-640-1125 www.torontohearingservices.com THE BEST OF SCOTLAND! JULY 25 26 & SATURDAY! Largest mass bands ever! Massed Bands · Heavy Events · Zehrs Celtic Family Area ND COMPETITBA IONS SAT JU TH · ELGIN PARK UXBRIDGE · SATURDAY NIGHT! Steel City Rovers and Great Lakes Privateers! SPONSORED BY : Highland Creek Pipe band! and onstage performances SUNDAY! SOLO AND LY 25 Photos courtesy: James Todd Photography LORD ELGIN INVITATION AL Highland Dancers