Stoney Point residents in Lakeshore will soon have access to a facility that will provide a variety of library-related services.
Council approved $185,000 from the facilities reserve budget to cover the cost of a 24-by-40-foot mobile unit in Stoney Point Park that will include two accessible entry and exit points and an AODA-compliant washroom. The unit will open sometime in 2022 and serve as a temporary home for the Essex County Library and will provide programs until a permanent facility is built.
"As a Council, we heard from residents about the importance of an accessible building, not just as a place to pick up books and access library programs, but also as a gathering place, a place where people can come together and access community resources," said Mayor Tom Bain.
Community members will be able to use the unit for services such as community rentals, meetings, events, as well as Lakeshore's recreation programming.
"Since the start, we have been committed to working with the Essex County Library Board and we are pleased to be able to provide a temporary solution while we plan for the future of a community hub in Stoney Point," Mayor Bain added.
Once the space is up and running, the library portion of the unit will have free wi-fi and internet connections, a computer and a variety of books and other resources.
In the new year, members of the community will be invited to participate in a visioning process to inform plans for the future of the park and the design of a permanent hub facility.
