New Library Opens in Walnut Creek
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (KCBS) The long awaited day arrived on Saturday for many Walnut Creek residents as it marked the grand opening of the city's new library.
The new, clean-looking two-story structure sits right next to Civic Park on North Broadway in the heart of downtown.
Walnut Creek Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Silva said the library has a little something for everyone.
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"There are about 94 public computers, there's wireless internet access throughout the building and outside," said Silva. "There's a teen area, there's a business area, there are community rooms."
City Manager Gary Pokorny said the plans for the new library have been in the works for more than a decade.
There were some early funding problems that pushed the project back, but in the end, a surprise.
"It was budgeted right at $46 million to begin with and it came in at about $39.1 million," said Pokorny. "So we're really excited about that."
Library enthusiasts were lined up Saturday morning to get their first peak at the new building and many were impressed once inside.
"It's a community space. We walked in and Dean Lesher is here, the Lindsay Wildlife is here," said one excited visitor. "It's like every little part of Walnut Creek is coming together."
Librarians said that once the hoopla dies down, they hope that people of all ages will come and enjoy everything the new state of the art, environmentally-friendly building has to offer.
