It might be hard to believe but the Jasper Library and Cultural has been open for exactly one year this week.
The brand new building first opened its doors on June 29, 2016, nearly five-and-a-half years after construction began on the multi-million dollar project that was beset with errors, cost overruns and missed deadlines.
Despite all the setbacks, Angie Thom, director of library services, said the community has embraced the new building.
“Let me put it this way, over 600 people showed up that first day and some people came back multiple times bringing different friends,” said Thom.
Dale Karpluk, chairperson of the library’s board, said they were initially concerned they would have to promote the library to get people interested in it again, but the community proved them wrong.
“The community has come back and are loving the space and the services,” said Karpluk. “If you take a look at the comments in the guest book you can see they think we’re the luckiest people.”
She described the new building as the hub of the community because it also includes the mayor’s office, council’s chambers, the Jasper Artists Guild (JAG), Habitat for the Arts as well as l’Association canadienne-française de l’Alberta (ACFA).
Prior to moving into the new building the library was located under the bleachers at the arena, a dark and at times noisy place.
Today the new building at 500 Robson Street offers high ceilings, bright windows and enough space for everyone.
From the Jasper Fitzhugh