A recent press release announcing Buy-Low Foods' intention to construct a newer, bigger grocery store in Didsbury was a surprise to many.
Then again, maybe not so much. The move from the current AG Foods location to Shantz Village was one of the worst kept secrets in town. The other is a suggestion that the library move into the AG building once it is vacated.
Having the grocery store move to Shantz would surely be seen as a big win for the town. As it sits now, Shantz Village would be in direct violation of the Field of Dreams motto if you build it they will come. Despite having roads and infrastructure (and a whole lot of money) poured into the area there is no sign of any development years later.
The obvious hope is that having a full-sized grocery store in Shantz will attract other retailers and homebuyers who will buy up residential lots and in no time Didsbury has a wonderful Shangri-La.
If the library were to move to the current AG location, it would almost double the space of the current location. Maybe they could keep the bakery so you can grab a snack as you check out books on gluten free. They could turn the front tills into checkout counters. It's a natural fit. And when the ubiquitous trains go by, it would fit in so nicely during storytime. If the story is about the Little Engine That Could.
Certainly many questions arise such as the deal Buy-Low Foods made with Shantz Village Land Corporation and if there's been any negotiations between the town and Buy-Low for the AG building for the library.
As well, the tale of the library expansion is almost as complicated. Clearly, Didsbury Municipal Library has outgrown the current location. Back in November of 2016 the plan was to expand into the vacated town office building next door. But after a somewhat pricey ($60,000) feasibility study it was determined that the building was not compatible for a number of reasons.
Since that feasibility study in 2016 there has been some talk about the library expansion or a new build but nothing concrete. Meanwhile, Didsbury Municipal Library continues to grow in both membership as well as the number of great programs aimed at youth as well as adults.
Council has $2 million earmarked for library expansion. But the stock answer from them is that more planning and studies are needed before proceeding. Certainly those are great and necessary, but the thing about studies is that they aren't cheap, they take time, and, arguably, after a couple of years they're mostly out of date.
Whether AG Foods is the answer to the library question -- who knows? I think there must be a better, quieter location. But one thing is certain -- council needs to act sooner rather than later to fill the needs of a growing town.
Craig Lindsay is the reporter for the Mountain View Gazette
