Dear Editor:
Re: Expansion of the Bright’s Grove library and a new community hub facility
Firstly - let’s agree that city recreation facilities and libraries are vital to the health of a community for ALL ages.
Sarnia-Lambton is well behind in our community services compared to neighbouring communities — as documented in the master recreation plan — and there is a direct correlation to increased theft, drug/alcohol addiction and mental health issues without the access to community facilities and services.
In 2017, city council unanimously approved the consultants report that recommended improvements to all three city libraries. Only two are completed. Let’s complete the report and move on to the Bright’s Grove facility.
This project will provide the community and beyond with a fantastic new accessible library and community room while also moving Gallery in the Grove onto the main floor of the original Faethorne House.
Why would Council not continue to execute and action the rest of the report? Why is Brights Grove being ignored?
Improvements are planned to the original structure including a lift to the second floor. This second floor could serve as a multi-purpose meeting room, workshop space with smart-boards and teleconference abilities. The walls could be outfitted with historical records and background on the history of Bright’s Grove and the Faethorne Home.
The County of Lambton supports this community project!
The Administrators of Rural and Urban Public Libraries of Ontario have guidelines that the City of Sarnia are not meeting for accessibility — three consultant reports support this project to get this location in compliance!
We can’t afford further delays on this project, four+ years and $350,000, three consultant reports and a $100,000 donor donation demonstrate this project being added to the list on the budget so we can start to fundraise and apply for grants with the County of Lambton support.
The City of Sarnia and Town of Clearwater (formerly the Sarnia Township) amalgamated in 1991. The slogan was ‘one community’ — not we vs. them.
Brights Grove is a neighbourhood of Sarnia, Lambton County. This is not a ‘want’ or a ‘nice to have’ but a critical ‘need.’
The woodlot will not be touched and there is plenty of parkland between the new build and homes on Westgate. It’s time to add this important building to the 2024 budget!
Rose-Ann Nathan Brights Grove