The wait is finally over.
The persistent headlines about missed deadlines, blown budgets and construction blunders are now behind us and there鈥檚 probably nobody that鈥檚 more excited about it than us.
Over the course of the Library and Cultural Centre鈥檚 long and storied saga the 51暗网 has written nearly 40 stories, the majority of which highlighted the latest issue to beset the beleaguered building.
By now we all know that the project took nearly five and half years to complete (three and half years behind schedule) and is approximately $1.5 million over budget.
While it鈥檚 important that we learn from our mistakes, it鈥檚 equally important that we also move forward and embrace the new building.
On June 29 the library will officially open to the public, followed by the Jasper Artists Guild and Habitat for the Arts two days later, on July 1.
We encourage the public to take some time out of their day to stroll through the building to see what all the fuss has been about, and while you鈥檙e at it why not borrow a book or get a new library card?
Nothing will convey the community鈥檚 support of the new building better than actually using it for what it was designed for. So find a cozy chair to read a book or stop by to use the internet because, after all, you paid for the new building.
In addition to the new library, the building will also function as a cultural hub supporting the local arts scene and the Francophone community.
Habitat for the Arts, the Jasper Artists Guild and the Jasper chapter of the Association Canadienne-Fran莽aise de l鈥橝lberta (ACFA), will also need your support in the weeks and months ahead.
For years these organizations have struggled to survive without a permanent location, so now is the time to show them how much you value what they do for the community.
Drop by, say hello, check out the latest art exhibit, and if you like what you see, why not buy a piece of art from JAG to support a local artist in town?
On top of this, the municipality will also hold its first council meeting on July 19th, which also happens to coincide with the 15th anniversary of Jasper becoming a municipality.
Wouldn鈥檛 it be great to see a room full of members of the public for this meeting? That in itself would be newsworthy.
And let鈥檚 not forget the green space in front of the new building. For many of us Robson Park was all but forgotten, but with summer upon us groups have already started using the centrally located park to host a yoga workshop and next week, on June 24, there will be a BBQ and talk about kidney awareness. Lets take back this beautiful space and use it for what it鈥檚 meant for.
The way we see it, the possibilities with the new Library and Cultural Centre are endless and it鈥檚 time we embrace this new building, because after all we had to wait five and half years before we could use it.
