Willow library project inching forward

WASILLA — If enthusiasm were money, supporters of a new Willow library would be rolling in dough.

“We’re excited for the future,” said Willow Library Association chair Marian Charles in an interview last week.

Unfortunately for Charles and other supporters of the library, funding for the group’s hoped-for $6 million library and community center expansion project is likely to be slow in coming. While other recent library projects in the Mat-Su (including those in Talkeetna and Sutton) were able to receive significant funding help, the Willow project might not be so fortunate, Charles said.

“We’re very aware of what’s happening in the state right now,” she said.

The state’s budget woes aren’t keeping supporters of the library expansion — which would roughly double the space at the existing library and community center — from planning for the future. The group recently completed the first phase of planning with the help of the Foraker Group through a grant from the Rasmussen Foundation. The grant allowed a two-person team to conduct an initial needs assessment and set out a timeline for construction.

“I can’t say enough about the Foraker Group,” Charles said.

The library expansion would add a number of things to the existing facility, including more space for computers and online networking, conference rooms, and more space in the community center for gatherings and community meetings and other events. Charles said the expansion is important because the center, which is located along Willow Lake, is a vital part of the sprawling Susitna Valley community.

“I think in small communities the library can really be the hub of the community,” she said.

The facility currently hosts a number of events, including upcoming events like free concerts. On April 30, the library will host the Mat-Su Community Chorus, which will perform for free at 4 p.m.

Charles said the project cost will be split between about $4.64 million for the library enhancements and $1.3 million for improvements for the attached community center. In addition to the hoped-for state funding, organizers will also be seeking grants as well as donations from the community. On May 28, there will be a fundraising 5-kilometer run starting and finishing at the center.

Charles said the expansion has broad support from the Willow community, and has received letters of support from groups like the Willow Area Community Organization, the local chamber of commerce and the Lions Club.

“I feel like we’ve done the best we can in trying to involve the Willow community,” she said.

As for a timeline, Charles said that’s still up in the air. The group would ideally like to be able to hire an architect by September, with an eye on completion of the final project by the winter of 2018. However, that’s a best-case scenario, and Charles acknowledges that until funding is worked out the timing could change.

“We’re going into this with our eyes wide open,” she said.

Despite the funding uncertainty, Charles said she and other supporters of the expansion will continue to work behind the scenes to keep the project momentum going forward.

“It’s certainly an amazing facility for a community our size to have and we look forward to helping it become even better,” she said.

Anyone seeking more information or looking to help with the library expansion project can call the library at 495-READ (7323).

Contact editor Matt Tunseth at news@frontiersman.com or call 352-2268