Collingwood residents, town officials, political guests and library staff joined together for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the new Collingwood Public Library and Municipal Offices on Thursday, May 27th. Festivities began at 12 noon and included live music, special presentations and political participation from all levels of government.

The new building was officially inaugurated by Canada's Finance and Regional Minister Jim Flaherty, Mayor of the Town of Collingwood Chris Carrier, and representatives from the Library Board of Directors. Jim Wilson, Member of Provincial Parliament for Simcoe-Grey was also in attendance to extend congratulatory wishes.

"The new public library and municipal offices will offer additional resources and services, encourage learning, and foster a sense of community here in Collingwod," said Jim Flaherty. Mayor Carrier thanked everyone who worked to bring the vision of a new library to a completed building in Collingwood's downtown heritage district. Carrier said that the building is state-of-the-art when it comes to embracing "green" technologies. "Money from the Federal Gas Tax Fund is permitting the Town of Collingwood to create one of the most environmentally-friendly public buildings in Canada" said Carrier. "The Municipal Council has approved a new Collingwood Public Library and Municipal Offices building and is committed to achieving a Gold LEED standard for energy and eivironmental design, which includes the installation of a Green Roof. Utilizing the Gas Tax Funding to the building, Council will be able to provide the citizens of Collingwood with an outstanding example of modern and environmentally-responsible design."

While May 27th had been targeted as the "official" opening, the library had quietly opened its doors to the public on Tuesday, April 6th.

The first two floors of the new downtown facility are occupied by the Library, with the third floor housing the Town’s Building and Planning Department.

The list of opening ceremony participants included Mayor Chris Carrier, past and present members of Collingwood Town Council and staff, Major-General Richard Rohmer, author, lawyer and Canada’s most-decorated citizen, MPP Jim Wilson, Simcoe County Warden Cal Patterson of Wasaga Beach, and representatives of area schools who participated in a student essay competition.

Other participants included representatives of the Royal Canadian Legion, Town Crier Ken Templeman, the Beinn Gorm Highlanders, Rev. Heather Gwynne-Timothy, representatives of the Library’s Founding Sponsors, the 1909 Collingwood OPP RC (army) Cadet Corps and musicians and performers from area schools.

The ceremony began at 12 noon on St. Marie Street outside the newly completed West entrance to the Library. The public was also invited to wear something pink, as May 27 is also National Wear Pink Day signifying awareness of breast cancer.

The $7.8-million, 30,000 square-foot building, located at 55 St. Marie Street, is being financed through taxpayer dollars, a grant of $781,736 from the Federal Government Gas Tax Transfer Fund and a grant of $300,000 from COLLUS and the Collingwood Public Services Board. New equipment, fixtures and furnishings within the Library have been totally financed by $725,000 in donations from members of the public and the Library Board and staff.

In addition, $225,000 in advertising and promotional support has been donated to the Library by four Founding Media sponsors.

VIEW PHOTO SLIDESHOW FROM THE GRAND OPENING CEREMONY