It was a day of celebration for the town of Lunenburg as the old Academy once again became a focus of learning.
The school is now officially home to the town’s library.
Dignitaries, residents, the Academy Foundation, and library staff cheered as the red ribbon was cut and dozens filed into the over 125 year old building.
Mayor Rachel Bailey says the importance of the building to the community and even the country made council want to maintain a sense of purpose for it after it closed in 2012.
“It wasn’t something we couldn’t ignore or neglect, it was our responsibility to do something meaningful with the building and we think we’ve come up with the right plan to redevelop it.”
The new library includes a children’s room, a 3D printer, a study, and more.
We’re making Hilton the shark! pic.twitter.com/SwNKQA0slZ
— Brittany Wentzell (@BrittWentzell) July 28, 2018
“The Academy is such an important part of Lunenburg’s history and has special meaning to the people here – we are honoured to play our part in continuing the historic legacy of this great building as a place of learning and centre of the community,” says Troy Myers, CEO and Chief Librarian of South Shore Public Libraries.
The plan to move the library came about in 2015.
John Harker of the Lunenburg Academy Foundation, says they are thrilled by the community buy in of the library.
“The foundation is delighted to add the library to a number of other people who are giving purpose to the place.”
That includes the Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance.
The Lunenburg Academy is a designated heritage building, built in 1895.
Renovations to the building have been ongoing since it was turned over to the town’s ownership in 2012.
They’ve been funded in part through fundraising and cash from all three levels of government.
The Lunenburg Library is open at Lunenburg Academy from 10:00am-5:00pm from Monday to Saturday, and 12:00pm-4:00pm on Sundays.
It’s official! pic.twitter.com/6EN4JsH03n
— Brittany Wentzell (@BrittWentzell) July 28, 2018
Story by Brittany Wentzell
Twitter: @BrittWentzell
