Newly renovated Willow Library and Community Center welcomed back with ribbon-cutting ceremony

WILLOW — The Willow Library and Community Center is up and running after a recent renovation that significantly expanded the overall space, adapting to the ever-growing area.

Several members of the community along with special guest speakers joined Willow Library staff and volunteers to celebrate the milestone achievement with a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday, Nov. 10.

The library was completely torn down and rebuilt from the ground up and the neighboring community center was renovated alongside it.

Linda Oxley of the Willow Area Community Organization said the original community center is slated for renovation to become a museum. She said it was moved in the 1980s to make way for the current facility with the library and center combined as people know today.

She said it was built using state funds since there was potential for the state capital moving to Willow. She said it’s been a vital resource over the years and will continue to make a positive impact in the community.

“These two structures are the home of Willow, where all people are welcome to gather and share and learn,” Oxley said.

Roger Hickel Contracting, Inc. renovated the library and community center. The newly renovated facility features a significant amount of space with modern design and structural assets in place. Outbound Mat-Su Borough Mayor and longtime Willow resident, Vern Halter said the overall construction of the building was put together with functionality in mind.

“It was just so small and outdated, it was time to do what we did here,” Halter said. “This place is really well built. I think there’s a lot of beauty to it that’s going to add to this community for many years to come… I’m leaving office here very soon so this is the culmination of a great many years for me serving the Mat-Su Borough as an assembly member, as a mayor. This is a great way to leave.”

Halter said that he’s been able to see several libraries across the Valley expand and modernize to keep up with the times and serve the ever-booming population.

“It makes them whole. It just defines a community,” Halter said. “You can tell by the communities that have facilities like this, what it does to them and what it’s going to do to the generations coming up. Because this is all about the future.”

Willow Library Director, Julie Mitchell said this project was a long time coming, but the continued support from across the community helped them make it to the finish line.

“I never thought we’d make it,” Mitchell said. “For you, this was all worth it,” Mitchell said.

Oxley said this place has been a safe and welcoming hub for the community for many years, hosting a variety of events throughout the years on top of simply being a warm and reliable place for locals to go.

She said the newly renovated library and accompanying community center is not just more spacious, it’s also more inviting with larger windows lighting the way for a bright future. She thanked the countless groups and individuals coming together without faltering to make this all possible.

“It took everybody… Let’s look forward to many years of fun in here,” Oxley said.

Newly elected Borough Mayor, Edna DeVries was one of several special guests in attendance. She said this new facility is a huge step forward for the Willow community.

“It’s so important that people have a place to connect,” DeVries said. “It’s money well spent.”

For more information about the Willow Library and Willow Community Center, call 907-861-7655.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com