Library officially opens

Round-a-bout the Clown makes balloon animals for children during the official Photo by Chris Simon opening of the Cookstown Library and Community Centre Saturday. With hundreds of residents and dignitaries in attendance, the Cookstown branch of the Innisfil Public Library officially opened Saturday morning.

The library has been open to the public for about one month. But on Saturday, it became official, with the cut of a ribbon, speeches from dignitaries, and free food and entertainment.

"This is a wonderful day, and truly worth celebrating," said library board chair Lillian Owen, noting the site was built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards. "This will be a wonderful project for the residents of Cookstown and the area. This new library and community centre was built in consideration of the people using it, and with an overall respect for this world."

The multi-million dollar facility, which is situated on the old Cookstown Agricultural Fairgrounds property, features 9,000 square feet of space, and includes adult, young adults and children's sections, program, 'living' rooms, office space and self-checkout technology.

An outdoor reading garden and folding partition walls are also part of the library design. Outside, the centre could eventually feature a baseball diamond, running track, soccer pitch, tennis courts, multi-use concrete surface and a children's spray pad.

Others say the facility will become a beacon for the community, with many local residents and organizations using programming, computers, meeting space and video game technology.

"You should never be skeptical in the town," said mayor Brian Jackson. "We bonded together and look what we accomplished. We created one of the most modern library facilities in the County of Simcoe, and probably Southern Ontario.”

“It's a tremendous building; it is simple amazing the service provided," said Jackson.

The land has a rich history. As the site of the former Cookstown Agricultural Fairgrounds, many important events have take place on the property.

"There were times when I wondered if it would ever come together," said senior project manager Les Camm, jokingly. "If it wasn't raining, it was snowing. If we weren't dragging in mud, the ground was frozen. But we persevered; we should all be proud of this building."