BonnerSprings.com / Ground broken for library

Archive for Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Everyone was digging the big event Wednesday at the groundbreaking for the new Bonner Springs Library. The 20,000-square-foot building will be located at the site of the former Sacred Heart School. Library staff members including Director Kim Beets (second from right) had their turn at throwing dirt with the golden shovels.

By Jesse Truesdale

December 12, 2007

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. It's a beautiful day!"

On any other occasion Mayor Clausie Smith's mental competence might be questioned for making such a statement in below-freezing temperatures with gray skies overhead and snow falling.

But this was the groundbreaking for the new Bonner Springs Library, for which about 100 people gathered in the parking lot west of the former Sacred Heart School at Insley and Nettleton. Smith's sentiment seemed to be shared by the crowd, who waited more than 15 minutes to celebrate a series of photo-op groundbreakings.

"I hope this is prophetic," Smith said of the weather, recalling that the groundbreaking for the city's Aquatic Center a couple of years ago had taken place in a "torrential downpour," and the swimming pool ended up coming in under budget.

"This is a historic day in our community," Smith said.

After Smith spoke, Judy Anderson, president of the library board, gave a short history of the city's library.

"Bonner Springs decided 60 years ago we needed a library," Anderson said, and the first one, a room above City Hall, opened in 1947. In 1963 the library was moved across the street to what is now the Financial Building, and in 1987 it was moved to its present location in the Community Center.

Anderson noted that the library bond vote in September 2006 had passed with an 81 percent approval by residents, which was topped only by the casino referendum.

Anderson said the library under director Kim Beets has been a model, rated fourth in the state for its size, and "I can't wait to see what Kim will be able to do with new facilities."

Beets then spoke, and thanked many people, including GLPM Architects of Lawrence, the library staff, the Bonner Springs-Edwardsville Chamber of Commerce, patrons and the Friends of the Library.

"This is a huge dream of ours," Beets said. "Thank you for being part of it."

Then the actual event came, broken up into three groundbreakings, participated in by City Council members plus Rep. Owen Donohoe, R-Shawnee, then the library board, and then the library staff.

The group then headed to City Hall for refreshments.