The new Jasper Library and Cultural Centre was the place to be, Sept. 30, as hundreds of people walked through the building's front doors for its grand opening.
Before the event鈥檚 official ribbon cutting, representatives from the municipality, the building鈥檚 tenants, Stantec Architecture Ltd., and other parties involved with the building and its construction made speeches highlighting the ups and downs that came with the project, which opened three and half years behind schedule and was $1.5 million over budget.
However despite the challenges, everyone seemed to have the same message: it鈥檚 time to put the delays and frustrations of the building鈥檚 construction in the past and celebrate the community鈥檚 new public space.
鈥淥ur journey to this new facility has not been a cakewalk with our temporary library being housed under (the arena鈥檚) bleachers for 54 months, but our staff, volunteers and patrons are thrilled with the new space,鈥� said Dale Karpluk, chairperson of the library鈥檚 board. 鈥淲e feel truly blessed considering the size of our community to have a world class library.鈥�
The municipality鈥檚 chief administrative officer, Mark Fercho, described the building鈥檚 construction blunders and delays as 鈥渄ark days,鈥� but added the project served as a major learning opportunity for the municipality.
鈥淭his building has a history of dark days鈥攖here were problems and there were delays ... and we all share in some of that,鈥� Fercho said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important to acknowledge that history, but it鈥檚 also important to learn from it.
鈥淎s a municipality we鈥檝e learned a lot.鈥�
Among the long list of people he thanked, Fercho took time to recognize the building鈥檚 architect Heather Bertz and the project鈥檚 construction manager Gordon Hutton, adding that they stood behind the project through 鈥渢hick and thin.鈥�
Mayor Richard Ireland, who was the last to speak, emphasized the important role art and culture play in the community.
鈥淐ulture helps drive the economy鈥攅specially the tourism economy, but local economic stimulation was not the principal motivation for this project. Council鈥檚 first priority is community health. Culture blends us with the past, binds us in the present and bridges us to the future,鈥� said Ireland, adding that each tenant of the building is a valued cultural asset to the community.
Aside from serving as a home to municipal council meetings, the building also includes the library, Jasper鈥檚 chapter of the l鈥橝ssociation Canadienne Fran莽aise de l鈥橝lberta (ACFA), the Jasper Artist Guild (JAG) and Habitat for Arts.
鈥淭hroughout the unfolding of this project the patience of our tenants has been saintly. They persevered, they survived and they continually offered their support, optimism and encouragement,鈥� Ireland said.
The mayor also thanked the community for its patience during the building鈥檚 construction.
鈥淵our patience has not gone unnoticed and we really appreciate that.鈥�
After the speeches, the celebrations ensued, coinciding with Alberta Culture Days, from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. For the rest of Friday evening, visitors were invited to explore the building鈥檚 three levels and take part in a string of activities from ballroom dancing and art viewing to magical acts and live musical performances.
Throughout the weekend other activities were also held including a family day filled with stories, treasure hunts and crafts, and the annual Mayor鈥檚 Night for Raven About the Arts.
On Oct. 2, more than 100 people gathered at the Jasper Activity Centre for the annual Bowls with Soul event, where community members got to taste-test almost a dozen soups crafted by local chefs.
鈥淚 think the whole thing went really well and we had a tremendous turnout for the grand opening. The people that attended were very interactive and I think they had a good time,鈥� said Habitat for the Arts鈥� Dave Baker.
Alberta Culture Days is an annual celebration of arts and culture in the province.
Jasper has been participating in the event since it began in 2008, with Habitat for the Arts organizing activities and events that showcase the value arts and culture add to the community and province.
鈥淚鈥檓 very pleased with the way Jasper has participated and I think now that we have this cultural centre, culture days are only going get better,鈥� Baker said.
Kayla Byrne
[email protected]
