Community residents of all ages gathered among the book shelves today in celebration of the completion of the new library in Murray River. The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Solicitor General and MP for Cardigan, on behalf of the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency; the Honourable Pat Binns, Premier of Prince Edward Island and MLA for Murray River-Gaspereaux; and Mr. Tom Scott, chair of the Murray River Community Council, participated in the grand opening.
The $174,433 library expansion project was approved under the Canada-Prince Edward Island Infrastructure Program, with funding provided equally by the Government of Canada, the Government of Prince Edward Island and the Community of Murray River.
Since the 1950s, library services for Murray River and area residents were based in a one-room, barn-shaped building on McInnis Street. In recent years, the Provincial Library Service and the community recognized that the facility, with its limited floor and storage space, could no longer accommodate an increase in users and books.
The new facility, located across the street from its predecessor, incorporates a variety of features designed to benefit both library users and the community in general. Along with being about five times bigger in size, at 2400 square feet, the new building is equipped with an office, a meeting room, a kitchenette, storage space, computer access, washroom facilities, on-site parking – and ample space for books. The new library also makes use of the latest construction methods and supplies. For example, it is equipped with in-floor heating and is fully accessible for persons in wheelchairs.
"The Government of Canada, through the Infrastructure Program, is committed to working with communities to improve the places in which we live, work and raise our families," said Minister MacAulay. "It is my hope that this centre of learning will inspire residents, young and old, to expand their minds and share ideas on building a strong future in Eastern Prince Edward Island."
"Community libraries are an important component in community development and in increasing the capacity of Island communities. That is why the Province of PEI is pleased to support this important initiative," said the Honourable Pat Binns, Premier of Prince Edward Island and MLA for Murray River-Gaspereaux. "I am sure that this new library will provide many learning and leisure opportunities for the residents of Murray River and surrounding communities."
"I would like to recognize all those here today who put their support behind this library, an important community facility that will serve the needs of all our residents for years to come," said Mr. Tom Scott, chair of the Murray River Community Council. "Southern Kings Construction Ltd. has delivered a finished product that is exactly what we were hoping for in both design and construction quality. The company is to be commended for its conscientious and creative work."
The agreement to create the Canada-Prince Edward Island Infrastructure Program was signed by the Government of Canada and the Government of Prince Edward Island on October 6, 2000. As a result, more than $38 million over five years will be invested in municipal infrastructure in Prince Edward Island in projects cost-shared by the Government of Canada, the Government of Prince Edward Island and local communities.