The Future of Aylmer Library

October 16, 2025

At the regular meeting on October 16, 2025, Malahide Township Council talked about setting aside money to create a design plan, cost estimate, and financing plan to see what it would take to move the Aylmer Branch of the Elgin County Library to the EECC. Malahide Township Council passed the following resolution:

Resolution:

WHEREAS the EECC Board passed a resolution requesting that its municipal partners equally share the cost of obtaining a design concept, costing analysis, and financing plan for the potential relocation of the Aylmer Library to the EECC;

AND WHEREAS the Town of Aylmer deferred consideration of the EECC Board’s request;

AND WHEREAS the Township of Malahide Council recognizes that obtaining a design concept, costing analysis, and financing plan for the potential relocation of the Aylmer Library to the EECC is essential to support long-term capital planning and informed decision-making, as the Township funds 50% of the EECC’s capital needs and requires this information to assess future commitments and ensure responsible financial management;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Township of Malahide authorize the allocation of up to $10,000 to fund the development of a design concept, costing analysis, and financing plan for the potential relocation of the Aylmer Library to the EECC;

AND THAT the Township offer to administer the contract on behalf of the EECC Board, in consultation with staff from the County of Elgin, as soon as feasible and prior to the end of 2025 for the Board’s further consideration.

What happens next?

This resolution has been sent to Elgin County Council for their information.

The Town of Aylmer also sent their own resolution to County Council about choosing option one of the design concepts.

Both of these letters will be reviewed at the October 28, 2025 meeting of County Council.

What was decided?

At the October 15, 2025 Regular Meeting, Council voted to proceed with Option One for the Library Redevelopment Project in a 5-1 vote. Council has requested staff to "prepare a further report outlining the process and timelines for the detailed design of Option One before proceeding with further engagement of JPM upon this component of the project."

Council deferred the decision to approve the EECC request for funding for the purposes of obtaining a design concept, costing analysis, and financing plan for the potential relocation of the Aylmer Library to the EECC. Council requested staff report back on the request and detail previous work investigating the EECC in 2017 by Aylmer staff.

What is Option One?

This design concept involves adding space to the Old Town Hall on the west side, with connections to the existing Library on the ground floor and a glazed corridor connection to the theatre on the north side of the upper floor.

The estimated cost of this option is $8,878,949.37

What happens next?

Staff have been asked by Council to prepare a report outlining the process and timelines for the detailed design of Option One before proceeding with further engagement of the project architect.

What is the timeline for the library redevelopment project?

No final decision on the library redevelopment will be made until the 2026-2030 term. All construction timelines - including those related to the East Elgin Community Complex (EECC) option - extend beyond the current Council's mandate. As such, approval rests with the next term of Council. Outgoing municipal councils are not permitted to bind incoming councils on significant matters or decisions. This project is expected to be a key strategic deliverable for the 2026-2030 term. Approval authority rests with that Council.

So why are we talking about this now?

While no final decision will be made until the new term begins, there is an opportunity to prepare and develop options for consideration. This may include exploring location and design alternatives, establishing financial plans, or engaging with Elgin County for potential support.

Council has selected a preferred design for the library which allows the Town to begin fundraising efforts and accepting pledges. This does not commit the next Council to a specific design or decision.

How will this impact the 2026 Budget?

The draft 2026 Capital and Operating Budgets have been presented to the Finance Committee. This will be the final budget approved by the current (2022-2026) Council. At this stage, the 2026 Budget does not allocate any new funding toward the library redevelopment, nor is this anticipated to be added.

The October 15th Town of Aylmer Council meeting was held at the Old Town Hall to accomidate the anticipated number of participant. With approximately seventy (70) members of the public in attendenace, Council heard seven (7) public delegations and recieved over ninety (90) pieces of correspondence. Delegations and correspondenced expressed a varity of opinions on the Aylmer library and Old Town Hall's future, which can be reviewed at the hyperlinks below:

The agenda, including all public correspondence, can be viewed online at Aylmer Civicweb page for the meeting.

The meeting can be viewed in its entirety at the Aylmer Youtube page.

October 15, 2025 — Aylmer Council will consider two related items on the future of the Aylmer Branch of the Elgin County Library.

Council will receive a staff report presenting conceptual designs and Class “D” cost estimates for potential redevelopment of the library at or near its current downtown site. The concepts explore a range of building sizes and layouts to guide future decisions about design and funding.

Council will also review the East Elgin Community Complex (EECC) Board’s October 8 request for endorsement of a $10,000 scoping phase to explore a library relocation to the EECC. Under the EECC Terms of Reference, both Aylmer and Malahide Councils must endorse the Board’s action before staff can proceed with that work.

Residents can review the materials and meeting agenda through the Aylmer CivicWeb Portal or watch the meeting on the Town of Aylmer Youtube channel. Written comments or request to delegate may also be submitted to the Clerk prior to the meeting.

Next steps: Council’s discussion will help define Aylmer’s preferred direction for a modern library facility and its position on the EECC proposal.

October 8, 2025 — The East Elgin Community Complex (EECC) Board approved a motion to allocate up to $10,000 for a preliminary design concept, costing analysis, and financing plan to explore hosting the Aylmer Library at the EECC. The Board also directed that this approval be sent to Aylmer and Malahide Councils for endorsement under the EECC Terms of Reference.

Residents can review the meeting agenda and attachments, and watch the livestream for full context.

Next steps: If both Councils endorse, staff (EECC and County) will complete the scoped work and report back to the Board.

September 17, 2025 — Aylmer Council received a report outlining the status of community fundraising efforts in support of a future library project. Active fundraising is expected to begin once Council selects a final library design and location.

Council reaffirmed its appreciation for the volunteers leading these efforts and noted that fundraising will play an important role in supporting the Town’s share of the project costs.

Residents interested in learning more about future fundraising opportunities will be able to follow updates on this page once the project design is confirmed.

August 2025 — Elgin County Council has formally asked the East Elgin Community Complex (EECC) Board to consider supporting the potential relocation of the Aylmer Branch of the Elgin County Library to the EECC.

Following a community consultation earlier this year, County Council reaffirmed its interest in exploring the EECC as a future home for the library. The County’s direction is based on feedback received through an open house and online survey in May, where residents shared their views on library space needs and possible locations.

To move forward, County Council approved a request for the EECC Board to review the proposal and determine whether the complex could accommodate a modern library space of approximately 10,000 square feet. The Board’s approval is required before any joint planning or design work can begin. Under the EECC’s Terms of Reference, both the Town of Aylmer and Township of Malahide Councils must endorse any new commitments or budget allocations before staff proceed.

The County’s request was outlined in a letter sent by Warden Ed Ketchabaw on August 13, 2025, summarizing the consultation results and next steps.

Residents can review the County’s full consultation summary and presentation through the Elgin County Meeting Portal.

What's happening with the Aylmer Library?

The Town of Aylmer wants to make the Aylmer Library bigger by building onto the Old Town Hall (OTH). They sent a "Letter of Intent" to Elgin County to say they are planning this.

Elgin County is happy about the idea—but they say Aylmer still needs to give more details before they can move forward.

What is Aylmer planning?

Aylmer wants to build a new 8,000 square foot space for the library and connect it to the Old Town Hall.

They asked the County to sign a 20-year lease, help with fundraising, and let the Town's engineers start designing the space.

What was Elgin County's response?

Before the County can accept Aylmer’s letter as a true “Letter of Intent,” they need two things:

• A clear amount of space that will be used for the library.

• A timeline for when construction will begin.

The County expects construction might start in 2028, with completion around 2030—after the current lease ends in 2027. So, they suggest temporarily moving the library to the East Elgin Community Complex in the meantime.

The County also noted:

• Aylmer should lead fundraising since they own the building, but the County can assist.

• They’re willing to help with interior design, as they’ve done before.

• No need for a 20-year lease promise now—leases already last long-term.

• No funding is committed yet; loan requests must follow County policy.

What were the results of the survey?

224 people filled out the public survey.

• 53% supported the move to EECC.

• 47% were against it.

Elgin County Survey Results - Do you support moving the library to the complex?

Elgin County Survey Results - If you visited the Aylmer Library within the last year, how did you get there?

Because the public was fairly split—but with many younger families and regular users supporting the move—County staff are recommending:

• Ask the EECC Board to officially agree to host the Aylmer Library there starting January 1, 2028.

• Work out details with the EECC, like:

  • Renovations needed for the space

  • A lease agreement

What happens next?

The County of Elgin will officially send this information to the Town of Aylmer, the Township of Malahide, and the East Elgin Community Complex Board of Management.

The Town of Aylmer has asked GEI Consultants, the Town's current engineers, to prepare a design for the building. Once this is done, the Town can provide more details to Elgin County including a timeline for the project and approximate cost.

The Town of Aylmer, the Township of Malahide, and the East Elgin Community Complex Board of Management will discuss the County of Elgin's findings at future meetings.

May 21, 2025 - Regular Meeting of Aylmer Council

In a 5-2 vote, the Council for the Town of Aylmer supported Mayor Couckuyt's motion regarding the construction of a building to be leased by the County of Elgin for library purposes.

Full Text of the Motion

That Council approve in principle the construction of an 8000 square foot building to be leased to the County of Elgin for library purposes; and,

That a "letter of intent" as required by the County of Elgin be sent; and,

That the County of Elgin be asked for a long-term lease of 20 years; and,

That the County of Elgin be asked to establish a fundraising committee for this building; and,

That Council single source the design of the new library to the Town's appointed engineering firm (GEI Consultants) to proceed as soon as possible in 2025; and,

That GEI be directed to place priority upon a design that connects the Old Town hall on both floors and is in keeping with the existing character and design of the old town hall; and,

That GEI also be directed to examine costing for a standalone library build in close proximity to the old town hall; and,

That interior design considerations be in collaboration with the County of Elgin; and,

That a 2025 budget amendment of $250,000 be approved by Council towards the detailed engineering and architectural design sufficient to meet grant requirements and that this amount be funded through the Council Initiatives Reserve.

Next Steps

The motion has been forwarded to Elgin County Council for consideration. The County is currently undertaking public consultation to gather feedback about a potential relocation of the Aylmer library to the East Elgin Community Complex. Please complete the survey if you would like to voice your thoughts about the relocation proposal: https://engageelgin.ca/aylmerlibrary/surveys/aylmer-library-survey

Elgin County is hosting a Public Open House to help shape the future of the Aylmer Library moving to the East Elgin Community Complex.

Tuesday May 6, 2025

7:00 p.m.

531 Talbot Street West, Aylmer, ON (Imperial Hall)

Elgin County staff will be sharing information about the proposed plans as directed by Elgin County Council. There will be a Q&A session following this presentation.

Social Media Graphic Advertising the Public Open House Hosted by Elgin County on Tuesday May 6, 2025