Girdwood Library and Community Center Groundbreaking

Photo courtesty of Mayor's Office

Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich and several other dignitaries kicked-off the new Girdwood Library and Community Center at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 29 at the Girdwood Fire Station.<br>
Participating in the ceremonial ground breaking were (from right to left): U.S. Senator Ted Stevens, State Representative Mike Hawker, Mayor Mark Begich, State Senator Con Bunde, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, Girdwood Board of Supervisor Chair Nick Danger.
The new 9,394 square foot building was funded through a federal Denali Commission grant secured by Senator Stevens, state grants supported by Representative Mike Hawker, a special Girdwood property tax levy, and a grant from the Rasmuson Foundation. The Girdwood Community Center and Library Task Force is working to raise additional funds for the project that will be used to furnish the library and enhance the collection.<br>
The Gerrish Girdwood Library will move from its current 1,500 square foot space in the Girdwood Elementary and Jr. High School. The new addition will provide for a 2,534 square foot community meeting room, a 3,938 square foot public library, and a 396 square foot office space for the Girdwood Board of Supervisors and other community groups. There will also be a large common space area and retrofits to the fire hall. A key function of the new community meeting room will be to serve as the training room for Girdwood&rsquo;s volunteer fire and rescue workers, as well as fire prevention programs for the entire community.</p>