ROYALTON — Renovating the Royalton Memorial Library has been a longtime coming. Come Monday, the wait will be over when construction workers break ground on the $737,500 project that had several hiccups since voters approved a bond in 2017.
Workers will build a 1,500-square-foot addition and make several other upgrades to the nearly 100-year-old structure on the corner of Alexander Place and Safford Street. The addition will bring the library into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
“Over time, there have been a lot of things that have happened,” library board president Cynthia Dalrymple said on Monday. “We are excited to be here and finally have a library that has a ground-level entrance so that everyone can get in safely. We are really exited about getting that started.”
She wasn’t alone on that front.
“I am happy that it is finally going to get done,” Town Administrator Rose Hemond said. “We have a project that is affordable to the town and suitable for the purposes of the library.”
Voters in October 2017 approved a $750,000 bond for the project, but when project cost estimates last spring ranged from $1 million to $1.2 million, the plan went back to the drawing board.
Officials scrapped what would have been a third-floor renovation, which saved money in several areas, including on a sprinkler system. But they kept in place several aspects of the project.
The addition, which will be built on the backside of the existing building, will create a new entrance off Safford Street. The space will make way for a children’s room, a meeting area and administrative work spaces.
An elevator will bring visitors to the second level of the building, where they can access “the stacks” and other offerings, Dalrymple said.
The project will upgrade the building to meet fire and safety codes while also maintaining historic features. In total, roughly 2,240 square feet will be renovated, she said.
The Selectboard approved the project on March 26 at a total estimated cost of $737,451. That amount will be offset by about $230,000 in refundable grants and another $222,000 in donations, Dalrymple said.
Architect Jay White designed the building; Upland Construction will carry out the plans. The project is slated to be completed around Nov. 15.
“It is great for the community,” said Selectboard member Chris Noble, adding that at least 700 people use Royalton Memorial Library — signified by the number of library cards in the community. “It’s getting a lot of use.”
The additional space will allow the library to expand its offerings, too, said Noble, who has acted as the liaison to the library.
The library already offers options to borrow digital items online, provides passes to places like museums and state parks, has regularly scheduled movie showings and holds many themed events.
“Everyone has come together with a plan that has a lot of value and will bring us through the next 100 years,” Noble said. “It is wonderful.”
The groundbreaking has been set for 10:30 a.m. on Monday.
Jordan Cuddemi can be reached at jcuddemi@vnews.com or 603-727-3248.