Sarnia council has approved relocating the Mallroad Library branch to Clearwater Arena.
Councilllor Brian White calls it a "massive win" for the neighbourhood.
"It creates a walkable community hub for thousands of residents, and Lambton College students, and let's also remember, for the users of the Lambton Mallroad location who generally access it by car, those who require a bus will have access to a bus, it's merely up the road," said White.
He welcomes the bigger space for programming, expanded location for outdoor programs and the possibility of partnerships with the neighbouring YMCA.
"This could be a real gem in our community. This isn't simply relocating a library branch, this is significantly increasing the space for programming, modernizing the space, not just saving $70,000 [annually], but making a true investment in an area of the city that we all value, I believe, equally."
The move is supported by Sarnia's Accessibility Advisory Committee, but its timing depends on when the arena returns to city use after Lambton Public Health has completed its community COVID-19 vaccine roll-out at the facility.
Staff think if it's returned by September, renovations could be completed in the fall and the new library could be ready for use by the end of the year.
Councillors Margaret Bird and Bill Dennis voted against relocating the branch.
