A proposal to build a new public library in a second-floor space at WiIlloughby Town Centre will not proceed, Mayor Eric Woodward has announced.

Woodward made a brief statement near the end of the Monday night, June 26, council meeting, saying the decision was made in a 鈥渟pecial closed meeting鈥� of council.

鈥淭he lease agreement for the rental library in Willoughby has been terminated and that project will not be carrying on,鈥� Woodward said. He said the deposit the Township paid the developer has been refunded.

In the past, the mayor has been an open critic of the proposal, calling it 鈥渟econd-rate鈥� and insufficient for the rapidly-growing Willoughby community.

Developer Pollyco had asked the Township to approve two floors of commercial space in a six-storey building planned for the 7900 block of 206A Street 鈥� the second floor of which could house a new library.

In a 2021 , Woodward said the proposal would see the library space 鈥渞ented from the developer in a building yet to be built.鈥�

鈥淎s outlined during the question and answers, it was clear that a second floor library is the least recommended form of library,鈥� Woodward remarked.

鈥淪econd floor libraries are challenging for the largest user groups for libraries that have mobility issues: seniors and young families,鈥� Woodward commented.

鈥淲hen is the last time you have seen a library on the second floor?鈥�

鈥淲illoughby deserves a signature, destination library right-sized for up to 100,000 people projected by 2050 or so, as we see everyday in Surrey and other growing municipalities,鈥� Woodward said in 2021.

READ ALSO: Newer, bigger library for Willoughby part of rec centre plans in 91原创

Council debated as far back as early 2021 whether the space would be enough for Willoughby, the Township鈥檚 fastest-growing and largest neighbourhood with more than 35,000 residents.

There is no library in Willoughby, which has more than 35,000 residents, making it both the largest and the fastest growing neighbourhood in the Township.

Willoughby residents鈥� nearest library options are the Walnut Grove Library to the north, and Muriel Arnason Library to the south, which are the busiest and second-busiest libraries in the Township, and Walnut Grove is one of the busiest by size of any in the FVRL.

READ MORE: Scope of proposed Willoughby library debated by Township council

Following November鈥檚 election, Woodward and his Contract with 91原创 slate brought in plans for a major new rec centre in the Yorkson Community Park, which is to include a pool as well as space for a library.

On Wednesday, June 28, Woodward told the 91原创 Advance Times an announcement about that project was likely in September or October.