Pugwash residents eager to start another chapter
New community library is now open and better than ever
For several months Denise Corey has watched the new library in Pugwash take shape.
Years of planning have been coming to fruition in a new, modern facility to replace an older building that no longer met the needs of the community. The wait ended on Feb. 6, when the $2.198-million library opened its doors to the community.
“I’m so excited for the people in this community,” the chief librarian of the Cumberland Public Libraries said. “I’m very excited for people to be able to come in and look at this space and spend time here. It’s going to be an excellent space for people to come and just hang out.”
Work on the 3,900-square foot building began last year when the Municipality of Cumberland announced plans to build the library that will replace the existing facility located in the former Pugwash train station since 1988.
Iron Maple Constructors and its sub-contractors recently finished the work. Project manager Roger MacIsaac is excited to see the final product.
“A year ago, this project was just a concept that had existed for four or five years. It really is a credit to Iron Maple … it’s something they can be very proud of,” MacIsaac said.
The former library facility, in the old train station, has been closed since early December, but the community could access library services through books by mail and other programs.
While one of the smaller libraries in the seven-branch library system, Corey said the former library was one of the busiest. She expects those numbers to grow in the new building, adding its users extend along the Northumberland Strait area, especially in summer, and all the way to the Oxford area.
“We’ve gone from having the least accessible library in the county to having the most accessible library,” she said.
Corey appreciates the commitment made by the municipality, Mayor Murray Scott, Coun. Jennifer Houghtaling and the fundraising group that set out last summer to raise the money for the community portion and surpassed their goal in near record time.
“That says a lot about this community’s desire to have a new library,” Corey said.
Houghtaling said the beautiful space and sunny nooks will be cherished and it could not have happened without dedicated volunteers who put so much effort into making sure this came to be.
“I have recently had several calls and emails about individuals and families who are considering Pugwash for their forever home due to the new library and hospital and the sense of community,” Houghtaling said.
One of the features of the new library is a program room that will be used for various library events such as book club and activities for young and old. It will also be available to the community and Corey is already hearing of organizations wanting to book the room.
While the library is open, she said there are a few items left to be worked on.
“We’re having a soft opening because we didn’t want to be closed any longer,” she said. “We would rather have people come in with it not being perfect as opposed to being able to access it. We believe people are really going to embrace it, they’re going to be excited.”
Corey said the collection, while not as large as the old library’s collection at first, is mostly new books less than two years old from some of the most popular authors.
An official opening will be held this summer during HarbourFest in late July.