EAGER YOUNG READERS
Two sisters, six-year-old Sophie and four-year-old Olivia, dive into some books during the official opening of the new Central Library on Thursday. The $245-million library, located in the East Village, drew rave reviews from its first visitors.
Standing beneath four floors of wooden curves and bathed in natural light, Suba Ananda could only gaze in wonder at the city’s new Central Library.
The city ’s oblong mother ship of books and learning technology was another reason moving to Calgary from India three years ago was a decision well-made, she said.
“I’m very surprised at how it looks, we’re happy to stay here,” said Ananda, clutching daughter Annola, 4.
“I’m really, really happy with it — we’ll come here regularly.”
Hayley Lockhart and friend Patricia Bennett spent more than three hours exploring the $245-million building that had just opened in the East Village.
It injects more intellectual and artistic capital into a city often governed by economic considerations, they said.
“It definitely cost a lot of money but it’s about education and learning, it shows a bright side of Calgary,” said Lockhurst, 18.
The bright spaciousness of the new library is its own tonic, and its First Nations art is another, said Bennett, 54.
It’s a place for Calgarians to show off, she added.
“If I had friends coming to town I’d bring them here, it’s awesome,” said Bennett.
As a jazz-blues brass brand laid down a celebratory sound nearby, Curt Smith descended the final few hardwood steps delivering him from a futile quest for a piece of old-school electronics.
“I’ve got to go to a business place to find a fax,” said Smith.
Even so, the visit and the building ’s sweeping vistas and intimate nooks left him in awe.
“It’s an adventure, it’ll implore a lot of people to come down here and it’s really going to open up a lot of things for young people,” said Smith, who couldn’t help but bring up the debate over Calgary hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics.
“I’d rather spend money on this than the Olympics. This is a forever thing.”
Evan Lamontagne, 10, and his little sister Kaiah explored the almost antique charms of an old Olivetti typewriter, one of many interactive features targeting youth.
The library is “pretty beautiful,” said Kaiah, 7, of Airdrie.
Her mother, Heather, beamed, enthused about the effect the new building could have on children and adults.
“It’s getting people interested in books and it’s a place where kids can try things they aren’t normally able to,” said Lamontagne.
Cassandra Caiger said she could happily get lost in the library’s myriad reading and learning spaces.
“There are all these spaces with elusive names that spark a sense of creative things happening here,” said Caiger, 30.
Standing beneath the building ’s arching red cedar soffit entrance, planning consultant Caiger said those spots also offer practical attractions.
“The opportunity to have such an inspiring space to host workshops is really exciting,” she said.
“They nailed the design and architecture, as well as the curating and programming side.”
It definitely cost a lot of money but it’s about education and learning, it shows a bright side of Calgary.