Grant, fundraising campaign eyed for Bright’s Grove library project

Sarnia continues to work on a funding plan for the Bright’s Grove library hub project.

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“We’re continuing to have some really exciting conversations,” said Kirsten Kilner Holmes, co-chair of the city’s project committee.

Details before launching a $1-million fundraising campaign for the estimated $8.8-million project are still in the works, after $25,000 was approved earlier this year to develop the campaign, a recent city report says.

Kea Canada was contracted to help develop the plan and has been working with the committee for several months, said city clerk Amy Burkhart.

Plan details are expected to come to council for approval in early 2025, she said.

Council in February also made the project a priority for eligible grant applications.

One opportunity, for which council recently authorized the city’s mayor and clerk to sign the necessary documents if it comes through, is a federal green and inclusive community buildings (GICB) program application for up to 60 per cent of eligible costs.

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The 650-square-meter (7,000-square-foot) expansion proposal at the current library and Gallery in the Grove location, in the historic Faethorne House, “checks all the boxes” of the application, Kilner Homes said, noting Sarnia-Lambton MP Marilyn Gladu also has submitted a letter of support for the grant application.

The committee is also looking into other grants, she said.

“But we’re very optimistic.”

Sarnia to date has invested about $2.35-million toward the project, including $2 million in the 2024 budget, the city report says.

The federal grant could provide up to $4.7 million, leaving about $1.8 million left to fund, it says. The fundraising campaign, if successful, would cut that number to $800,000.

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Details about when the grant decision is expected weren’t immediately available.

Renovations for the building have been sought since a 2017 study recommended improvements to all three Sarnia branches. Those were reinforced by a Lambton County study in 2023.

The expansion proposal, bigger than what was recommended in 2017, was adopted, in part, to help the facility meet provincial guidelines for library demand.

In 2019, Sarnia matched a $10,000 contribution from Gallery in the Grove to get the ball rolling on architectural designs.

Sarnia council blinked three years ago at fully funding the project, but then approved $350,000 in detailed design work in 2022, before further committing last year.

It’s a needed investment, Kilner Holmes said, noting the library also is being used by people visiting Bright’s Grove from the growing community of Camlachie.

“That location will service really people from across Sarnia-Lambton,” she said.

The committee has been speaking with prospective donors in the interim, Kilner Holmes said.

“There are some great conversations happening in the community in advance of the campaign.”

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