Library fundraising reaches halfway point

Date: 10/10/2014

WEST SPRINGFIELD – The WestSide Story fundraising campaign for the new West Springfield Public Library (WSPL) has reached the halfway point of its $2 million goal.

According to Eric Fiedler, who leads the capital campaign, more than $1 million in pledges have been received. Most recently, the Bertera Automobile Group donated $25,000.
   
“It’s right on schedule,” Mayor Edward Sullivan said. “If something drags out, the more change orders [there are, the more expensive a project costs]. The less contingencies, the better – it’s a win-win for the taxpayers and library users.”
   
WSPL Director Antonia Golinski-Foisy said, “The progress that is going on at the site is fantastic. It’s an absolute joy watching every single step.”
   
She stated that the pouring of the floor slabs should be finished this week, allowing the pouring of the wall slabs to begin. “We have such good support. The energy is good. We’re in a happy place,” Golinski-Foisy stated.
   
Golinski-Foisy commented that “weather-permitting,” the grand opening of the nearly 37,000 square-foot building should take place in October 2015. The building will consist of the historic Carnegie wing and two additions to the site, a single-story and a two-story.
   
“Right now, we’re going through the fun part,” she said, as the WSPL staff, Board of Trustees and Friends of the WSPL choose the indoor furnishings, colors and themes.
   
“Once we saw the building go down, we knew there was no turning back. The 1958 and 1978 additions had served us well and it was time for them to come down,” Golinski-Foisy said.
   
She added, “The whole education of the community is being taken care of, from babies to lifelong learners.”
   
To follow the progress of the construction, visit the WSPL’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/West-Springfield-Public-Library. To learn more about the fundraising campaign, call 736-4561, ext. 5 or email wsplcampaign@gmail.com.
   
A benefit performance for the WSPL will take place at the Majestic Theater, 131 Elm St., on Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 and $28. To purchase tickets, visit the theater’s box office or call 747-7797. For more details, visit www.majestictheater.com.