Alexandra Bake honoured for building community; work as honourary library fundraising chair

Administrator | Mar 25, 2025 | Comments 0

Mayor Steve Ferguson, Alexandra Bake and PEC Library CEO Barbara Sweet

Community builder Alexandra Bake was presented with a Civic Recognition Certificate from the municipality at Tuesday night’s council meeting, in honour of her work as honourary chair of the Picton Library Expansion Fundraising Committee.

“She worked tirelessly arranging dozens of events, meeting with donors and enlisting help for the committee,” said her nominator, Prince Edward County Public Library CEO Barbara Sweet. “It is unheard of that a community supports a library build for over 80 per cent of the total costs. Alexandra and her committee raised close to $3 million (over 80 per cent of the costs). The result of those efforts is a beautiful addition to Main Street, Picton, and Prince Edward County, and this building is used for many purposes, by many people, daily.

Sweet also spoke to how the expanded space has impacted the library, the community and the people of the County – engaging with young families, children at play and story times as well as a popular enhanced musical instrument lending library, and heavily booked meeting rooms for community groups, students, book clubs, chess and Scrabble players, theatre groups, and more.

“It’s a place of inspiration,” Sweet added, noting one of her favourite library use memories was David Frum broadcasting from the new library expansion on CNN last summer.”

Mayor Steve Ferguson noted a long-time connection to Alexandra, and the entire Bake family.

“Alexandra has given back in very large measure. An an example, Picton Main Street would look nothing like it does today without the (family) involvement,” said Ferguson. “And not just the investment in their properties, but also the investment in exacting detail of buildings, or the renovations, to ensure they are structures that fit into the heritage landscape of this town – this occurred long before the municipality created the Picton Heritage Conservation District

The first was the complete renovation of the Gilbert and Lighthall building which earned two heritage awards. This was followed by the restoration of the former Public Utilities Commission at 187 Main and the Edward Building, now a town landmark. The merging of Books on the Bay and Olivia and Co. in 2007 resulted in the transformation of the former Lipson’s Department Store into a vibrant hub, combining bookstore and café to create a desirable destination for all book and coffee lovers.

“I learned from all the Bakes, that nothing is impossible; to believe in what is possible and to make it happen,” added Ferguson.

“Council takes great pride in recognizing you for your dedication and unwavering commitment, and your hard work over the past four years inspired the community to raise over $3 million dollars… Your legacy shines brightly and will be forever etched in the walls of the Picton library, and on the hearts of our community.”