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.

Construction Set to Begin!

A Notice to Proceed with the construction of the East Regional Library has been issued to the contractor - Ratcliff Construction.  After a 10-day staging period, the contract time will begin.  The contractor has 365 days (aside from extraordinary weather related delays) to complete the job.
 

We anticipate construction will be complete around this time next year, and we would then begin the process of moving in and installing new furniture, shelving, computers, and collection.  The move-in process will take several months and would be followed by a soft opening.  Barring any major delays, the East Regional Library will open by the end of 2014!

East Regional Library is located on property at Fabacher Field in Lafayette, Louisiana.  It is on La Neuville Rd. near its intersection with Youngsville Hwy (Hwy 89).  East Regional Library will serve the Broussard, Youngsville, and Southeastern part of Lafayette Parish.  It will be open 7 days a week and will include evening hours.  There will be meeting and study spaces, public computers, wi-fi, storytelling room, teen space, and a drive-thru book pickup window.  

Lafayette Parish voters approved this project as part of the Library Expansion package in 2002.  This is the 3rd Regional Library.  The 4th Regional, West Regional, is currently in the property seeking phase.  In addition to the new Regional facilities, the Library Expansion included a complete renovation of the Main Library, which is currently underway.