Sarnia council will consider endorsing the proposed relocation of Mallroad Library to Clearwater Arena Monday.
Mayor Mike Bradley said he loves the library system and thinks we should continue to invest in it, but he's not at the point where he believes it's the right direction to go.
"I haven't been in favour of moving it to that particular building," said Bradley. "We're taking a one level building that has parking, over to another building with two levels, and putting it on the second floor, and then we'll have the issue of parking and no matter how you try to deal with the parking issue, when you have a very busy arena in normal times, it will be a challenge."
It's recommended council direct city staff to work with Lambton County's Library Services team to finalize the preliminary concept and floor plans, refine the cost estimate and establish project timelines.
Bradley said he's willing to reserve judgement until those final figures are received in March.
"I commend the staff for bringing forward the idea, it was in general terms the library board, but based on the feedback that I've received from the public, I think this is something that can stay where it is for the time being," he said.
City and Lambton County staff have said the arrangement would provide an opportunity to reinvest underutilized space and save costs overall.
Staff have said the upper hall at the rink currently has a utilization rate of 16 per cent and brings in about $10,000 a year from rentals, while $70,000 is spent annually on the Mallroad branch.
A total of 249 people responded to a survey with 44.6 per cent of them supporting the creation of a community hub through relocation of the library.
