By Mike McKibbin/NewsBreak Denver
[CASTLE ROCK, COLO.] Groundbreaking for a new library in Castle Rock drew more than 150 people Monday. The crowd included library, town and Douglas County officials to mark the official start of construction of the more than $23 million project.
Library Head Archivist Alyssa Carver provided a brief history of the library and a children’s construction-themed Storytime was presented, complete with hard hats. The event also included photo ops for children and families, crafts, coffee, waffles and other breakfast items.
Among those present were Bob Pasicznyuk, executive library director; Suzanne Burkholder, library board vice-president; Dawn Vaughn, library board president; Terry Nolan, library board secretary; Lora Thomas, Douglas County commissioner; Dan Danser, library board member; Jason Gray, Castle Rock mayor; and Tim Dietz, Castle Rock councilmember.
The building is under construction in front of the existing library at 100 Wilcox St. and will replace a 46-year-old former Safeway store used as a library for the last 19 years. The library district saved money for five years to fund the construction and avoid seeking a bond issue.
The first phase kicked off on March 30 when the Castle Rock gazebo was lifted and relocated to the CALF Lowell Ranch three miles south. The district donated the gazebo to the Castle Rock Band for its continued use and community enjoyment.
Construction fences went up in the west parking lot on April 25, and customer parking was relocated to the south lot, in front of the adjacent retail center. The existing library will remain open throughout the 12-15 month building process.
The next stage of the project begins in June with concrete foundation work.
Prompted by growth in the Castle Rock community, the new library will add space and features to serve residents in the future. It also will provide a workspace for the library's district-wide services teams.
According to the district website, the current Castle Rock facility is about the size of Lone Tree's library, while Castle Rock's population is three times larger than Lone Tree.
The new 62,000 square-foot building will feature about 42,000 square feet of dedicated library space, approximately 220 parking spaces, a drive-through book return, an interactive children's play space and will continue to house the district's archives, local history and collections.
For more information about the new library, visit DCL.org/build.
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