Petitcodiac community group faces roadblocks converting church into library

Three Rivers mayor Peter Saunders says he's "shocked" the municipality has been having difficulty getting funding from the province for this project.

Almost a year after the Public Library Board in Petitcodiac, N.B., learned its local library could no longer stay in the building it occupied in the village’s downtown — those involved in the project are still unable to find a new location to reopen.

The municipality of Three Rivers, of which Petitcodiac is a part, did not renew the lease because the daycare that occupied part of the building needed room to expand, according to mayor Peter Saunders.

The library board said the community is feeling the impact of the loss.

“It’s not just about books. It’s not just about borrowing things or information. It’s a place where people gather, especially if you don’t have a place to go during the day,” library board trustee Chris Hayes said.

“If you’re on the streets or if you’re not able to go home during the day, like if you live in a group home, a library is one of the only places you can go without spending money and you can be there for a while,” he said.

The board thought their prayers were answered last summer when a former church became available as an option for a future site last summer.

“The United Church here agreed to let us have the building basically as a donation to us without any charge except for a few expenses,” said Joyce Barbour, another library board trustee.

The church was built in the 1880s and needs some work done before it can be brought up to the standards necessary for a provincial library.