October 2013

One month of construction down, 11 months to go!  That is, if the heavy rains miss our site!  The contractor has been busy in October doing site work, forming up the foundation, and preparing to pour the parking area. 

The Library will be on the same park site as Fabacher Field - just off the intersection of Hwy 89 (or Youngsville Hwy) and La Neuville Rd.  (Albertson Pkwy becomes La Neuville as you cross Hwy 89).

Some have asked where, in relation to the baseball field, will the library be.  It will be on property left of the baseball field.  Here are a few pictures from today. 

Groundbreaking

Thanks to City/Parish President Joey Durel, Councilman William Theriot (District 9), Councilman Don Bertrand (District 7), the Library Board, LCG Public Works Director Tom Carroll and Project Liaison Jessica Cornay, LCG Parks & Recreation Director Gerald Boudreaux and Assistant Greg Gautreaux, LCG's Purchasing & Property Manager Thomasina Oliver and staff Tara Cazares and Debbie Ladner, our Architects (Charles Beazley, Thomas Hughes, John Maak), our Contractor (Ratcliff Construction), and our Library staff and supporters for their part in making today's groundbreaking event a success.  See more groundbreaking pictures here.

Construction is expected to take 12 months (exclusive of major weather issues) and move-in of library furniture, equipment, and collection will take another few months.  We hope to be celebrating our grand opening in about 15 months!

GROUNDBREAKING PLANNED FOR NEW EAST REGIONAL LIBRARY

Lafayette, LA (October 2, 2013) – The Lafayette Public Library System is pleased to announce the beginning of construction on the new East Regional Library. City-Parish President Joey Durel and Councilmen William Theriot (District 9) and Don Bertrand (District 7) will join with Library Board, Staff and supporters to break ground for the East Regional Library tomorrow, Thursday, October 3 at noon, at the location of the new library at Fabacher Field in Youngsville. The site, located at 215 La Neuville Road, near the intersection with the Youngsville Highway (Hwy 89), was provided in partnership with the Lafayette Consolidated Government Parks and Recreation Department.

The 15,200 square-foot library, designed by architect Charles Beazley of Architects Beazley Moliere, will serve Broussard, Youngsville, and Southeastern Lafayette Parish. It will be open 7 days a week -- including evening hours -- and will have meeting and study spaces, public computers, wi-fi, a storytelling room, teen space, and a drive-thru book return and pickup window.

Contractor Ratcliff Construction Company began construction on the site on Friday, September 27. Construction is expected to take 12 months, barring any major delays, and will cost approximately $4.3 million. Lafayette Parish voters approved this project as part of the Library Expansion package in 2002.

“We’re excited to get started on our third regional library in Lafayette Parish,” says Library Director Sona J. Dombourian. “Our patrons have enjoyed the spacious, modern North and South Regional Libraries, and this new library will include many of the same features. We’re pleased to provide these new libraries, which will be enjoyed by the people of Lafayette Parish for many generations to come.”

The Library Expansion package also includes a West Regional Library, which is currently in the property seeking phase, and a complete renovation of the Main Library, which is currently underway.