The Town of Tecumseh is moving ahead with a controversial plan to move a seniors' club for a temporary library.
Mayor Gary McNamara said that the Town had been working with the Tecumseh Golden Age Club as it is moved from its current home off Lanoue Street to a temporary headquarters at the St. Clair Beach Community Centre on St. Gregory's Road.
The Lanoue Street building will be the temporary Cada Branch of the Essex County Library as the library building undergoes a major renovation.
"In accommodating the Golden Age Club at the St. Clair Beach Community Centre, the Town is able to accommodate the Club’s existing schedule for programs and activities," said McNamara in a media release. "Recognizing timelines and logistics, the Town of Tecumseh will also assist the Golden Age Club to move and install necessary equipment and supplies at the St. Clair Beach Community Centre at no cost."
The plan to relocate the Golden Age Club generated criticism from members concerned about distance, accessibility, and parking at the community centre. The club has been in existence since the early 1970s.
Dana Pfiefer O'Connor, Golden Age Club President, lamented the development on Facebook.
"Our club was not meant for a library," posted O'Connor. "We weren’t asking for the world. We were asking for a commitment. Too bad this didn’t come out before the municipal election. A well-kept secret. But we will stand together, and we will make it the best we can."
The club will be moved to the community centre as of Monday, May 1, with the relocation expected to last one year. The Cada Library will move to the Lanoue building while the library is renovated, as Tecumseh is required by law to provide the library with a space. The club will be allowed to use the community centre at no cost. All programs and activities will proceed as scheduled, along with any arrangements made by third parties to use the club.
McNamara said the Town will keep all lines of communication open with the Golden Age Club and is open to accommodating programs or space as the need arises.
