Andersen Memorial Library Solarium construction underway

The Susan Andersen Memorial Library's solarium is expected to begin construction this week in this 2018 file photo

By Justin Seward
Commentator/Courier

Bow Island’s Susan Andersen Library solarium project’s ground work has already been done in the current building and is expected to have concrete pouring by later this week.
Contractors have been secured, while some of the utilities have to be moved sooner than later, said Kathryn Van Dorp, library manager.
“Some of the behind-the-scenes stuff have already started, she said.
The library was also able to obtain some additional funding last November for the project.
The solarium project idea came up two-and-half-years ago as a memorial tribute to the library’s long time manager Susan Andersen.
“Susan always had a vision that she would like some sort of outside space or more natural light coming in the building and we thought a solarium or reading room would be something really nice,” said Kathryn Van Dorp, library manager.
Sunalta Solariums will be building the project and it will act as a reading room, public meeting space, host programming for kids and adults, special events and displays.
“It’s quite exciting,” she said of construction nearing.
“Once again it was a vision Susan had for years. I think it’s going to give another great public space in the community where people can come and either read or work. We’re going to try and make the space modern as in technology.”
The main structure is still anticipated to be completed by mid-fall.