Elliot Lake City Council was briefed by its Chief Administrative Officer Daniel Gagnon last night at a regular council meeting about the temporary closure of the Elliot Lake Public Library and other spaces in the Pearson Plaza.
The City’s Building Department issued an order to comply with the Ontario Building Code to clarify the cause and correct roof leaks visible at the Elliot Lake Public Library space and, to some degree, in an adjacent leased retail space in the Pearson Plaza.
That order was issued on Jan. 7. The building owner and landlord, McCowan and Associates of Barrie responded on Jan. 16 that it needed to close the library, the common areas and the leased retail space for remedial repairs.
City of Elliot Lake CAO Daniel Gagnon told Council, "The city is currently seeking clarification from the landlord as to the cause of the roof leaks, the scope of the repairs needed, and the length of the potential closure."
The CAO noted that “this case is somewhat unique as the city is both a tenant in the Pearson Plaza for the library and a retail space, and the regulator for enforcing the Ontario Building Code and the municipal property standards bylaw.”
“The city does not currently have any information that would lead us to be concerned over the structural integrity of the roof. The closure was a decision of the landlord to ensure the safety of staff and users while conducting repairs,” he added.
Other spaces in the Pearson Plaza (Dollarama and Foodland) remain unaffected. Gagnon said the city will continue to update the public as to the status of the building and library services.
In the meantime, the library remains closed but the chief librarian is located within City Hall with access to library software.
Library patrons should take note of the following:
• All late fines will be waived as a result of the closure
• Books can be returned using the drop box that remains at the entrance to the Pearson Plaza or kept until the library re-opens
• The chief librarian can be reached at 705-848-2287 ext. 2116 for book renewals or similar questions