Long-awaited improvements to the Weyburn Public Library will begin in two weeks, despite construction costs coming in over budget.

City council voted unanimously Monday night to fund the majority of the $937,000 renovation and addition after questioning whether the project was too expensive at their last meeting on June 26.

They accepted the lowest of four bids from Cardinal Construction of Moose Jaw. Cardinal's bid was over budget by more than $200,000. The original budget, made last fall, was based on an estimate from the architect which did not include a number of revised plans.

Relieved library board chair Isabelle Butters told council their decision reflected the importance of literacy in the community, and addressed practical concerns like wheelchair accessibility, asbestos problems and a front ramp that can become a hazard in the winter.

"It has been 35 years and we have had good library use from that building, but the time comes when something has to give," she said.

Coun. Debbie Button, the city's representative on the library board, brought up the practical concerns when she suggested council vote in favour of the renovation and expansion.

A city and library committee considered three options, including reducing costs, waiting a year or more, or finding more money somewhere in the city budget. City treasurer Stan Runne was able to find the money with the project being funded over two years.

The renovation and expansion will include a new roof, knocking down the front ramp and adding an area in the front that attaches to the Southeast Regional Library. The front entrance will include an elevator, washrooms and circulation desk.

A length of the east wall will be cut out so library patrons on the second floor will be able to look down into the new children's area. There will be a separate entrance at the west end for access to the Allie Griffin Art Gallery.

Butters says the green light from the city will likely prompt more community sponsors for the project. The library board's goal is to raise $100,000 for construction costs. They currently have over $45,000.

Council received a letter from Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation on a planned improvement to the intersection of Highway 39 and Moore Street.

The intersection will include an extra turning lane that allows through (westbound) traffic to pass to the right of a left turning vehicle from Highway 39 onto Moore Street, which is the access road on the corner by Great Plains Ford.

Construction should begin later this year or in 2001.

Council voted unanimously in favour of a bylaw change that will allow a local entrepreneur to develop a driving range behind Montgomery Crescent.

The range will face in an east-west direction behind Montgomery Crescent, in the field between the back alley and the PanCanadian yard.

Ron Knox, who plans to develop the range, said large nets would be in place along the back alley to ensure golf balls would not fly into residents' back yards.

He added there would be an access to the range off 18th Street, and the hours of operation would be daylight hours.

Knox has been responding to concerns expressed by area residents regarding increased traffic, dust and stray balls.

City Council decided to shelve a paving improvement program for one year due to the high cost of asphalt.

Paving tenders closed on July 5 and the lowest bid of $287,000 came from HJR Asphalt, which was 27 per cent over budget.

High crude oil costs were blamed for the price increase. The improvements will be delayed one year in anticipation that prices will drop.

Some maintenance paving work will still be done, plus paving of the Tatagwa pathways.