Mayor Says Pugwash Will Have a New Library

The Mayor of Cumberland says the people of Pugwash want a new library and that is what they will get.

Murray Scott told the Pugwash Village Commission last night the county has dropped plans for a multi-purpose centre but will deliver a library.

The need was identified over ten years ago, but discussions took a detour when federal funding agencies said they do not support libraries.

A committee of volunteers began talking about a building that would offer meeting space, recreation facilities, and a library, in other words a multi-purpose centre that could qualify for federal grants.

However, drawing-after-drawing and study-after-study the concept grew until the price tag surpassed four million dollars and officials realized it was beyond the grasp of the local community.

Scott says the architectural firm A49, which has done all the concept work on the project, the Harbourfront Centre, and other aspects of the Pugwash Waterfront Development Plan, has now been asked to design a community library and he said we will build an affordable library, just as the people wanted in the first place.

The mayor expects details in September followed by community discussion. 

He credited District 3 councillor Jennifer Houghtaling for keeping the project on the front burner when most others gave up in frustration as the concept seemed to grow out of reach.

Cumberland Municipality bought the property on Durham Street, across from Langille’s Service Centre, in 2016. The former home of Shelly and Norval Benjamin, shown in the photo, was later dismantled to make way for the library.

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