Breaking Ground on a Brand New Library in Newcastle!
One word best describes how Newcastle residents feel about the start of construction for their new community library: excited! More than 300 people gathered for the groundbreaking event on the afternoon of October 20 at the site of the new library, which will be the first library in the Newcastle community.
As people gathered, the 60-member Tyee Middle School Wind Ensemble entertained the crowd with several songs. Bill Ptacek then welcomed the crowd to the groundbreaking, which celebrates the start of construction for the new 11,000 square foot library.
KCLS Board Member Rob Spitzer talked about the history of the project. “In 2004, citizens approved a bond measure and those bond proceeds will pay for this library,” Spitzer said. “We look forward to the opening.”
Newcastle Mayor John Dulcich said the new library will be the highlight of his career in politics. “It will be a great feeling to have this facility be the center of the community,” Dulcich said.
Project architect Bill Lapatra spoke about the new building, which he called the “living room” of the community. The new building will feature a children’s area with a “kids’ perch,” meeting rooms, computers, Wi-Fi and a cyber (computer) bar. The building will have sustainable features including a geothermal energy system, green roof and locally produced brick.
“We are incredibly excited about what will appear in this grassy meadow,” Lapatra said. “This will be a state-of-the-art building.”
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