Construction is underway on the building expected to be the new larger Battle Ground Community Library! Dennis Pavlina's Gold Medal Group is constructing the building, and Fort Vancouver Regional Library District has an option to purchase it upon completion. We expect to open the new library by Fall 2009. Watch the building rise near the intersection of Grace Avenue and Rasmussen Blvd.
-- Battle Ground Community Librarian Jackie Spurlock
Printable Project Status sheet
The library district has an option to purchase a 13,000 square foot building and 15,000 square feet of land at Battle Ground Village, a new live-work development at SE Rasmussen Blvd. and Grace Ave. The larger building will significantly improve the district's ability to serve Battle Ground area residents.
The City of Battle Ground on Feb. 21, 2008 announced its contribution of $100,000 toward the library project. FVRL news release
The developer, The Gold Medal Group -- a major contributor to the project -- began construction at the future library site in April 2008.
Friends of the Battle Ground Community Library have been instrumental in addressing the longstanding need for a larger Battle Ground library, supporting a workable solution and providing partial funding for it. The Friends, working with Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation, are conducting a capital fundraising campaign to raise $2.1 million for the new library. Total cost of the project is $3.8 million.
On October 4, 2007, the Friends hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking event at the site of the new library. Photos and story
On April 19, 2008, the Friends hosted a "Going Vertical" event at the site of the new library as construction began.
Battle Ground Community Library has been in the same 3,870 square foot building since 1959, when the population of Battle Ground was 888. Current census figures put the population now at more than 15,000. Circulation per square foot in the tiny building is almost three times the FVRL average. Bond measures in 1999 and 2000 each received more than 50 percent approval, but failed to reach the required 60 percent supermajority.
Comments? Questions?
Send an email to newlibraries@fvrl.org, or call the library at (360) 687-2322, or send written comments to Battle Ground Community Library c/o Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver WA 98663. You also may fill out a comment form at the branch.
