Winnipeggers rally to save West Kildonan Library
A group of Winnipeggers were outside the West Kildonan Library on Tuesday to rally against the city’s proposed plan to move the library to the Garden City Shopping Centre.
Earlier in the month, CTV News Winnipeg reported that the public service is recommending the City of Winnipeg lease the space at the shopping centre and use it as the new library.
Rent would cost close to $217,000 each of the first five years, and about $232,000 each year for the next five years after that. Winnipeg would also be required to make a one-time contribution of up to $2 million for leasehold improvements.
Now, community members are coming out against the proposed plan, saying a library in a shopping centre will be dark and inaccessible.
MLA Nahanni Fontaine and Coun. Sherri Rollins were two of the speakers at Tuesday’s rally, where Winnipeggers held up signs that said “We need our library” and “Save the library.”
The city said the current West Kildonan Library, which was built in 1967, does not meet the needs of the library users and has limited parking. It noted that it tried to explore other possibilities and move the library to a city-owned facility; however, it was unable to come up with another solution.
The plan still needs approval from Winnipeg’s executive policy committee and city council.
Coun. Ross Eadie, who represents the Mynarski ward, said he does not support the relocation and closing of the library, but that the new location has good value.
-With files from CTV’s Mason DePatie
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING 'Just wait': Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city amid multiple reports
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.