Cerphilly town’s library is on track to open late December or early January, Caerphilly Council has confirmed.
The new building, which is being constructed on the site of the town’s old Post Office, recently had a ‘topping out’ ceremony to mark the completion of its roof.
The new community facility will replace existing council services based at sites at Morgan Jones Park and Park Lane, and will be five times larger than Caerphilly’s present library.
Cllr Rhianon Passmore, Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: “Situated right in the heart of Caerphilly town centre, this modern facility will be a real social and educational asset. Residents will be able to enjoy access to more than 50,000 resources and a wide range of services in a comfortable and stylish setting, which will include the best mix of innovative design and engaging customer considered furnishings.”
Completion of the building is currently on schedule to be late September and then allow a further period for fitting out by the council-engaged library specialist thanks to a £200,000 grant fund from Welsh Government. It is anticipated that the building will be open to members of the public late December/early January.
Aberbargoed Library is due to reopen to the public with a newly refurbished look on Monday May 20. The library will also be home to Flying Start Health Visitors who will manage the new play area to the rear of the building.
Cllr Keith Reynolds, Deputy Leader and Aberbargoed ward member, said: “I, along with my fellow ward member Cllr. Alan Higgs, am delighted that the library will once again open its doors to the residents of Aberbargoed. The impressive refurbishment will ensure the facility will remain a popular venue for members of the community to socialise and enjoy all the library has to offer.”
Undoubtedly, the attractive new library building will provide much-needed facilities for some Caerphilly residents.
"Some" because the location of the building, certainly favours those who live fairly close to it, but where are the extra parking provisions for the rest of us? The existing car parks are barely adequate and disabled parking is lamentably poor around Caerphilly. Often, when accompanying a disabled relative, it has been necessary to circle the town's one-way system, hoping for a disabled space to become vacant; wasting time, petrol and patience.
We would like to support local high street shops and facilities, but sadly, out-of-town venues on the edge of Newport and Cardiff, are so much easier and much more practical, when mobility is limited.
Ironically, I understand the new building will also offer the facility for renewing Blue Badges… but I can still foresee my relative driving to the Penallta House Council Offices, where they are always guaranteed to find a parking spot on level ground.
Well said Annie.
And dont forget that this new building will accommodate the point at which all new benefit claimants in Caerphilly will fill their applications forms for benefit, `ON LINE`.
There is some hope though, the queues could be kept down by the computor hub at our TWYN COMMUNITY CENTRE will also accommodate computors, provided by civic funds some two or three years ago, for new benefit claimants to use. Some of us will be keeping a close eye on this public facility to ensure it is fully open top ALL to use.