A brand new state-of-the-art library for Abercarn is moving forward at quite a pace, after demolition of the former library building on the site took place recently.
Caerphilly County Borough Council is working alongside Carn Limited and Seren Group on the project, which will see the development of a brand new 202m2 library facility, together with 10 residential apartments for older people above the library.
Councillor Phil Bevan, Cabinet Member for Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning said, “Membership at our county borough’s libraries remains as popular as ever, and a brand new state-of-the-art library for Abercarn will be a tremendous asset to the whole community”.
He continued, “With a whole host of new services set to sit alongside traditional book lending at the library, it promises to offer a more pleasant environment for our residents to read, learn and relax in. I look forward to seeing this excellent project come to fruition”.
The new Abercarn Library will have dedicated space and facilities to support recreational reading, informal and formal learning and access to free Internet enabled PCs.
It will also be an important local venue for community events, arts, cultural activities, and provide meeting space. There will also be dedicated spaces for children, young people and adult customers to the library.
Neil Barber, Assistant Director of Fairlake (part of Seren Group) said, “This is a very exciting development for all partners involved and I have no doubt the facility will prove an excellent addition to the area. The partners have worked closely together in difficult economic conditions to deliver a funding solution which will provide a first-class community asset whilst also providing much needed accommodation for older people.”
Sonia Bird, Director of Carn Limited said, “We are delighted that at last we can get back to work and complete the development, providing Abercarn with their long awaited library together with the 10 further apartments”.
The former library in Abercarn was opened in 1974 and served a population of nearly 5,000 residents. Currently, the library provision is from a temporary site in the village.
The new library is also set to be a third larger than the former building, enabling it to meet Welsh Public Library Standards with regard to space for members of the public.
Caerphilly County Borough Council will work alongside building contractors Carn Limited and Seren Group to deliver the project within the next twelve months, which forms phase two of the Cwrt Dyffryn scheme.
The library will be provided at no cost to Caerphilly County Borough Council as part of the overall development of the site.
