öÏÓãÊÓÆµapp city councillors get in on the photo shoot and toss some more dirt at the Baker Street location for the new öÏÓãÊÓÆµapp Public Library, June 20, 2023. - Joy Struthers/Metroland
Former city councillor James Gordon came to support the ground-breaking, along with other former councillors who have hoped for this day for a long time, June 20, 2023. - Joy Struthers/Metroland
öÏÓãÊÓÆµapp Public Library CEO Steve Kraft holds up a historic spade he said was used by Dr. William Tytler to plant a tree in the grounds of the öÏÓãÊÓÆµapp Public Library on March 28, 1931. - Joy Struthers/Metroland
The shovels used had the öÏÓãÊÓÆµapp logo on them, one is shown here in the dirt beside shoes belonging to members of city council. - Joy Struthers/Metroland
The first shovels hit the dirt for new central öÏÓãÊÓÆµapp Public Library on June 20, 2023. - Joy Struthers/Metroland
Joy Struthers
The first shovels hit the dirt for new central öÏÓãÊÓÆµapp Public Library on June 20, 2023. - Joy Struthers/Metroland
Joy Struthers
öÏÓãÊÓÆµapp city councillors get in on the photo shoot and toss some more dirt at the Baker Street location for the new öÏÓãÊÓÆµapp Public Library, June 20, 2023. - Joy Struthers/Metroland
Joy Struthers
Former city councillor James Gordon came to support the ground-breaking, along with other former councillors who have hoped for this day for a long time, June 20, 2023. - Joy Struthers/Metroland
Joy Struthers
öÏÓãÊÓÆµapp Public Library CEO Steve Kraft holds up a historic spade he said was used by Dr. William Tytler to plant a tree in the grounds of the öÏÓãÊÓÆµapp Public Library on March 28, 1931. - Joy Struthers/Metroland
Joy Struthers
The shovels used had the öÏÓãÊÓÆµapp logo on them, one is shown here in the dirt beside shoes belonging to members of city council. - Joy Struthers/Metroland
The groundbreaking for öÏÓãÊÓÆµapp’s new library drew a crowd, and all were smiling in the sunshine and enjoying the breeze on the morning of June 20.
Many said this feel-good event was an uplifting occasion, one the whole city could get excited about.
Speaker at the groundbreaking, öÏÓãÊÓÆµapp Public Library CEO Steve Kraft welcomed everyone to the Baker Street development site, soon to be the new öÏÓãÊÓÆµapp Public Library and more.
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He said there was also a sunrise ceremony held by local Indigenous Peoples at the downtown location, previously a parking lot, and before that a city burial ground.
Appropriately, he called the event the beginning of a new chapter for öÏÓãÊÓÆµapp, with a new central library.
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He said the new space would “inspire, educate and uplift our community for generations to come.â€
“Those of you who can’t believe this is actually happening, now is the time to pinch yourself, and pinch yourself hard,†Kraft said.
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He encouraged everyone to snap photos and share their memories and thoughts to social media and beyond.
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There were also many acknowledgments for folks who had a role in making this day happen.
Mayor Cam Guthrie mentioned many of the components to the new space and said he is most excited about the accessibility for everyone, and, as a history buff, a place for city archives.
“This is a good day. Let’s celebrate it properly and really cheer this on right to the ribbon-cutting, whenever that is, hopefully sooner than later,†Guthrie said.
There were also many past and present city councillors in attendance, ready to get their shovels into the dirt.
Ward 5 Coun. Cathy Downer, who has been a big supporter of a new library for many reasons, said she was proud to be there, as “it has been a long time coming.â€
“It’s great to see so many people out to celebrate this,†Downer said. “And I appreciate all the people who have come together to do this.â€
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For more information on the Downtown Renewal project, visit .
To learn about the Baker District, go to .
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