Downtown library re-named after its most stalwart patron (6 photos)

James L. McIntyre, who spearheaded the building of our downtown library and visited the institution daily after his retirement to read The Globe and Mail, was honoured today by the city he served and loved.

The half-century-old structure was re-named the James L. McIntyre Centennial Library in recognition of the former mayor, who died in February, 2015, at age 88.

McIntyre's granddaughter, Lauren Carter, returned to the Sault from London, England to deliver some memories at the dedication ceremony.

"My grandfather was one of six children with three brothers and two sisters" Carter said.

"He'd had polio as a young boy and was bedridden for a year and was not expected to survive."

"He stopped going to school at age 16 and turned up in the Sault courtesy of a job with Air Canada."

"Not too long after that, he met my grandmother at the local boat club. He was proud of his family, six children and an ever-increasing amount of grandchildren," Carter said.

"This library would arguably not be here but for him," said Mayor Christian Provenzano.

"He successfully advocated that this building be built as the city's 1967 Centennial Project, and in his retirement years, Mr. McIntyre was a daily visitor to this site, especially to read the latest newspapers," said Toni Nanne-Little, library board chair.

A plaque honouring the former mayor was unveiled in the downtown library's lobby.