Adam Bramburger
Beaver Staff
A youth services hub proposed by the United Way of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington and supported by 14 agencies will be set up at the County Memorial Building.
At their regular meeting last Wednesday, Lennox and Addington County councillors were asked to choose between leasing the 2,200-square-foot space on two floors recently vacated by Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Public Health to the youth hub proponents or to I. David Isbester and Associates.
Financially, the County would receive $20,000 per year from the United Way plus an additional $10,000 per year from its Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative funds to cover the space over a two-year term with a possibility of extending, while Isbester had offered $26,484 over a five-year term with a renewal option.
Earlier this month, Greater Napanee’s Gord Schermerhorn suggested the youth hub might be a better fit in Napanee’s former library building at 37 Dundas Street W, allowing Isbester to rent at the County Memorial Building.
County staff co-ordinated a tour of the library building for representatives from the United Way, Prince Edward-Lennox and Addington Social Services, and the L&A Youth Homelessness Committee.
The United Way’s chief executive officer, Bhavana Varma, sent a letter to council via PELASS director Marlynne Ferguson commenting on the suitability of the two spaces. She noted the County Memorial Building was “move-in ready and will require minimal renovations,” while suggesting the library would require significant renovation to be usable. Varma said its stairs were crumbling, exploratory work needed to be done regarding plumbing issues, the flooring would need to be replaced, and the electrical panel would need upgrading to accommodate a kitchen.
“We do not have the budget or expertise to make these happen,” Varma wrote.
Varma also said the open floor plan of the County Memorial Building space created a welcoming atmosphere, while the library’s main floor layout was “chopped up with no sightlines which poses concerns for safety.”
She concluded timing was not ideal for the library move as a Novelis crew would be able to install a kitchen and make repairs at Oct. 9-12.
“Based on the timelines, budget and resources, we are unable to commit to this property,” Varma advised. “Our preference is to locate the L&A County Youth Services Hub in the Memorial Building.”
Schermerhorn appeared satisfied with the report as he moved the County lease to the United Way for the hub, so long as the space would be returned to its present condition at the end of the lease. He also expressed optimism that another suitable opportunity was in the offing for the town-owned library building.
“Things are going to work out, I think,” he said. “Something may be happening with the old library, so I’m very happy about that. It’s not good to have a half-empty building at the Memorial Building at the same time.”
With representatives from the partnering agencies in the council chambers, Schermerhorn wondered allowed if enough support was being provided for people on programs like the Ontario Disability Support Program or Ontario Works and said he does have concern that youth could go down a precarious road.
“I do believe in working for a living, but I also believe there’s people who need help. The youth hub, I think, is going to be good for our county and our municipality. I have concerns we look after our youth before they get out of hand at some point.”
Prior to the discussion, Marg Isbester again declared a conflict of interest as David Isbester is her son.