HALDIMAND SELECTS ARCHITECT FOR HAGERSVILLE LIBRARY AND ACTIVE LIVING CENTRE

Haldimand County has selected the firm of Curran, Gacesa, Slote Architects Inc. to do the design development for the new Hagersville Library and Active Living Centre.

A news release released by Kyra Hayes, supervisor of customer experience and communications, stated that the firm was one of seven compliant bidders that submitted competitive bids for the contact. The firm will develop detailed design and engineering drawings, which will become part of the tender document for construction of the facility.

"Work will begin immediately to finalize the design of the new multi-purpose facility and includes the incorporation of stakeholder and community input about the design so far, as well as a final round of consultation this spring," the news release stated.

One group the county has not consulted with to date is the Haudenosaunee Development Institute.

At the end of October 2021, Empire Communities kicked off community fundraising efforts for this project with a $600,000 donation. At that time, The Sachem asked the county if it had submitted an application about the project to the institute, as in April 2021, the group had declared a moratorium on development within the Haldimand Tract.

"No development can proceed along the Haldimand Tract without the consent of the Haudenosaunee," Deyohowe:to, a Cayuga hereditary chief from the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council, said at the time.

In December 2021, Todd Williams, spokesperson for the HDI, sent an email to

the county's Community Development and Partnership department and other senior staff and elected officials, citing The Sachem's editorial, "Will Haldimand's seeming failure to consult with Haudenosaunee Development Institute bring the project down," published Nov. 16, as the reason for reaching out.

In his email, Williams provided the link to the institute's

application for consideration and engagement for development.

"Complete and submit the application. A meeting will then be scheduled to review your proposed development," Williams wrote.

When The Sachem reached out to the county to ask what steps, if any, had been taken in response to Williams' email, The Sachem

was told by Hayes that the county's chief administrative officer Craig Manley had advised recipients of The Sachem's inquiries to not respond, and that the county would not be providing any comment.

Following the announcement of the architect being selected for the Hagersville project, The Sachem again reached out to the county and institute for comment.

Williams said in an email, "There has been no response or acknowledgment from the county to date regarding this project."

He did not answer The Sachem's questions as to whether the institute had any concerns about the project and whether 'shovel in the ground' work would be considered in violation of its moratorium.

The Sachem also contacted the county and asked a series of questions, including whether there is any concern that if the county does not consult with the (Haudenosaunee Development Institute) the project could be stalled, blockaded, etc., and whether this matter will be publicly discussed at council?

The Sachem did not receive a response from the county as of press time.