Some big milestones are happening at the new library.
Cheryl Easton, North Hastings Inspiration Place capital campaign chair, says their first major fundraising event is going down in September. An Anne of Green Gables event will take place on September 9th, 10th and 11th in cooperation with Village Playhouse, Tweed and Company Spirit of Maud Theater company.
The event will consist of three different plays based on the Anne of Green Gables stories. There will also be a silent auction of antiques, and the campaign organizers are looking for donations to auction off. Tickets can be purchased here.
In addition, Easton says that ground will be broken on the new project this fall. She says in their latest meeting with the Town of Bancroft, they fully expect to begin work at this time.
On top of the fundraiser, which Easton says is their biggest to date, they are also holding a round-up fundraising campaign at Bancroft Foodland. They also had a presence at the Rockhound Gemboree. Easton adds they chatted with a lot of people at the event. She says tourists were excited about the build, as they are always looking for something to do on a rainy day. She says that people overwhelmingly were excited to have somewhere in town to go and take in the services of the library. In all, she says there is an incredible amount of interest at the Gemboree, and the response so far has been extremely positive.
The North Hasting Inspiration Place will be built at the parking lot between Cleak Avenue and Hastings Street North. The building itself will not only house the collection of the library but will include increased access and more spaces for learning opportunities, classes and meeting spaces. It will include public housing, public and outdoor spaces, a kitchen, a makers space, and a computer lab. Easton says the new library can offer so much more than the current collection.