Aurora residents can expect tax increase to fund Library Square operations

Yorkregion.com
March 26, 2019
Teresa Latchford

Aurora residents will see a tax hike over the next three years to cover the operating budget of Library Square.

Town council recently voted to move ahead with the creation of a new cultural and community space downtown including the construction of an outdoor square and new community facility attached to the current Aurora Cultural Centre.

“This is a pivotal point in our town’s history and one that will change the trajectory of our community,” Mayor Tom Mrakas said.

“We are investing in our community and I’m confident this will encourage businesses to follow suit and invest in downtown Aurora.”

Located at Church and Victoria streets behind the Aurora Public Library, the outdoor square will include an ice rink, water spray feature, water wall feature, amphitheatre-style seating and a large open space to be used for concerts, music festivals, public art displays, markets and more.

The addition to 22 Church St. includes a multi-use performance hall, performing arts studio and visual arts studio, which the town hopes will attract theatre performances, concerts, movie screenings, tradeshows, conferences, lectures, a variety of classes including dance, fitness, drama, music and mixed media.

“Library Square is all about bringing together old and new in a way that embraces Aurora’s history and heritage while creating new opportunities for our residents,” Town CAO Doug Nadorozny said.

Hearing residents' concerns regarding sufficient parking, the town has approved short-term parking solutions with the intention of adding more parking spaces in the future at a cost of $87,882.

Council has earmarked $38.2 million for the project and an operating budget of $720,000. The impact on the operating budget, which must be funded from the tax levy, will be phased in in increments of $240,000, representing a half per cent increase, annually for the next three years beginning this year.

The capital costs will be covered by a mix of funds coming from development charges, community benefit fees collected from developers, the sale of municipal lands, specifically business lands on Leslie Street, a 20-year debenture and government grants.

The town believes the investment will bring large returns as the First Ontario Performing Arts Centre in St. Catherines has generated $17 million annually and Burlington has seen a return of $10 for every dollar invested in its arts centre.