Two big projects break ground in Sydenham

Apr 29, 2010

Sydenham library groundbreaking ceremony-l-r: Claudette Richardson- chair of the Kingston Frontenac Library Board, Mayor and Warden Gary Davison and John McDougall chair of the library redevelopment committee

On April 26, two back-to-back ground breaking ceremonies took place in Sydenham. The first ceremony was on Stagecoach Road just south of Rutledge Road at the site of the new ambulance base for the Township of South Frontenac.

The project will include the construction of a new 3200 square foot two-bay ambulance facility equipped with staff quarters, eating and office facilities. The governments of Canada and Ontario each committed $250,000 to the project and the County of Frontenac contributed the balance of the total eligible costs of $750,000. The target date for completion is Oct. 11, 2010.

Immediately following was the second ground breaking ceremony, which took place at the Public Library in Sydenham. The sod turning inaugurated the construction of a new library, which will replace and expand the existing library with a new 6000 square foot LEED facility (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) that will include computer areas, quiet study and teen zones, a reading area equipped with a fireplace and a multi-purpose community room. The governments of Canada and Ontario each committed up to $726,667 to this project and the County of Frontenac contributed the balance of the total eligible cost of $2,180,000.

Both ceremonies were well attended by community dignitaries, representatives of the various groups and organizations involved, and community members.

Gary Davison, mayor of South Frontenac and warden of the county, was present and spoke at both events. He later commented. “It’s an outstanding day for South Frontenac and for the whole district since so many people will benefit both from the ambulance service and the library. We are very excited and very grateful to the federal and provincial governments, since without their support neither of these projects likely would have been able to happen.”