L&A County council discusses new libraries for Amherstview and Napanee, pedestrian crossing at Centre Street

The County of Lennox and Addington Council met on Wednesday, Nov. 20 to discuss a wide range of issues, from two new libraries to a temporary pedestrian crossing.

This region will soon boast two new libraries, one in Amherstview and another in Napanee.

Stephen Paul, Director of Community and Development Services, presented the report discussing these new libraries within the context of strategic capital planning. 

“This is a high-level overview of total construction costs for two new libraries,” he said. “Specifically in regard to strategic planning, it is timely to have these numbers in front of council as we start looking toward the 2025 budget.”

According to the report, the Amherstview future library was recommended to be built on the site of the W.J. Henderson Recreation Centre. Costs were calculated based on a two story, 1850m2 building located on the north west corner of the property. 

The estimated construction cost for this library, including soft costs, is approximately $12.1 million.

Other costs for the Amherstview library include a mortgage of $844,490.40, an annual operating cost of $246,000, and an estimated annual cost of $1,090, 490.40.

Two locations were assessed for a Napanee location. The first being on the Court House Campus and a second being downtown. The building size is estimated to be 1900m2 to 2000m2 over two floors. The estimated construction cost, including soft costs, is approximately $12.7 million.

Other costs related to the new Napanee library include a mortgage of $886,365.96, an annual operating cost of $255, 000, and an estimated annual cost of $1, 141, 365.96.

The intent of the report is to assist council with capital strategic planning and to support the 2025 operating and capital budget process.

Council received the report on the two new libraries for information.

-Council also received a report detailing the need for a temporary pedestrian crossing at Centre Street.

“We’ve determined it’s time for a crossing,” stated Chris Wager, Director of Infrastructure Services.

According to the report, traffic has been increasing steadily on Centre Street and recent traffic counts show that approximately 16,000 vehicles travel between Graham Street and Thomas Street every day.

The temporary pedestrian crossing has been determined a necessity, as pedestrian traffic has also increased.

In order to align with Greater Napanee’s infrastructure replacement, reconstruction of this section of Centre Street is planned for 2027. When this occurs, a permanent set of traffic lights and pedestrian crossing will be installed.

Councillor Jim Hegadorn questioned whether the temporary crossing would be a fully signaled crossing or just a flashing light.

As per Wager, the new, temporary pedestrian crossing will not be fully signaled but, instead, be one with a flashing light.

The motion to receive this report for information, and to direct staff to install a temporary pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Centre Street and Graham Street, was passed without further comment.

-In closing, County Council participated in their annual warden nominations. First to speak was councillor Henry Hogg who began by nominating Deputy Warden Nathan Townend for the position of warden in 2025.

“Nathan has served as the county’s representative for the past two years and was also appointed to serve on the tri-board measure committee, where he was instrumental in developing a business model,” said Hogg.

Hogg also pointed to Townend’s involvement with the Rural Ontario Municipality Association, noting that he is not afraid to raise issues affecting not just the county, but lower-tier regions as well.

“When Nathan speaks, you know he has done his research and speaks with authority,” Hogg added.

Unity, especially when it comes to all tiers of the government within the County of Lennox and Addington, was a strong theme throughout Townend’s remarks.

“I am inspired to bring unity and collaboration among our constituents,” he said. “Globally, our present political climate is not lost on me in making these comments. Protectionism and self-interest are political toxins to which the municipal order of government is not immune and we can do more to strengthen our bonds as a county.” 

“We are better and stronger together but togetherness, unless consciously nurtured, is very easily lost,” added Townend.

Another goal put forward by the first warden nominee was to elevate this county’s public perception to “something more than just a sign on the 401 between Kingston and Toronto.”

Councillor Terry Richardson was also nominated for the position of warden.

In his speech, Richardson focused on what is shaping up to be challenging years ahead. He also pointed to the need for unity in order to weather what difficulties may arise.

“We’ve got some challenges ahead of us and the only way to get forward is to work together,” said Richardson. “In my position as the head of Council for the Town of Greater Napanee, I can say it’s been a challenging few years, but we have made great strides.”

Richardson recounted local visits from political leaders, from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to Premier Doug Ford.

“They want to invest here. They want to be here and it’s important for all tiers of government that we are successful,” said Richardson. 

The County of Lennox and Addington’s election for the position of warden will take place during the Dec. 11 meeting.