The overall project cost is now estimated to be $1,473,000. A grant received from the Ontario Rural Infrastructure Fund to the tune of $731,00 and fundraising to date of $169,000 leaves a shortfall of $573,000 that will probably come through fundraising or financing.

According to Dave Burnside, Director of Engineering Services, "There have been unforeseen costs such as the replacement of the wooden floors in the original building, the upgrading of all the electrical and the plumbing, the additional of an accessible washroom on the upper level and the structure between the old library and the new addition has to be upgraded."

Vice Deputy Mayor, Doug Gowanlock expressed his concerns that, "If we commit to additional expenses, we won't be able to meet needed infrastructure items and, I'm afraid, that will eventually catch up to us. Once we commit to pay for this, we have to follow through."

Councilor Diane Huber also added that, "The cost overage is dramatic. Were we off base with our original estimate or do we need to, in fact, rethink the entire structure?"

Councilor Victoria Serda pointed out that, "It's very important for a community to have a cultural hub, a public place where people can meet. I suggested some time ago that rooms in the new library could be rented out to various groups which, in turn, would result in some income. It was unfortunate that the timeline to apply for the funding was so short. It didn't really allow us enough time to thoroughly examine the costs that might be involved. Wal-Mart will undoubtedly be coming shortly and it is vital that our downtown have a central hub. The costs have escalated beyond what we expected but I think we have to go ahead with this new expansion which, in turn, will mean that more residents will be using it."

The fund raising committee, under Chair Mark Kraemer, has pledged to continue with fund-raising efforts in order to provide for a fully accessible library and meet the new target of over $1.4 million.

Tenders were received from nine firms and council voted to award the contract to Dwight Burley Construction Ltd. with its bid of $1,299,800. Burnside explained that, "The bid also includes a contingency fund of $100,000 along with other allowances that may or may not be fully utilized.