WALKER, Mich. — The City of Walker will host a groundbreaking ceremony for its new library next week.
On Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 1 p.m. residents are invited to gather on the grounds of the Walker City Hall at 4243 Remembrance Road NW for the event.
City officials said the groundbreaking comes on the heels of decades of discussions between Kent District Library and the City of Walker on improving the library for the community.
The current 8,000-square-foot Walker Library was built in 1990, however, city leaders said they've been working towards an expansion for a long time.
“This new community gathering center will serve as a hub for learning, creativity, and connection, reflecting our commitment to fostering a vibrant, informed community," said Mayor Gary Carey. "We look forward to seeing this dream come to life and appreciate all the community suggestions and input.”
The new library will be more than 20,000 square feet.
The library will be built on the Walker City Hall campus and include a hallway full of Walker history, an outdoor plaza, a second-floor deck and patio, an E-games room, a podcast station, a children's section, numerous study rooms and specialized book inventories.
City officials said there will be funding and naming opportunities for two community rooms.
"With the rapid growth of the Walker community, it's wonderful that the library is also expanding,” said Lance Werner, Executive Director of the Kent District Library (KDL). “This project keeps pace with the growing needs of schools, students, young families, seniors and people of all ages."
The total cost for the new library is estimated to be between $20-25 million.
