The doors have reopened at the Sand Creek Library in the Academy Plaza Shopping Center. The library was temporarily closed for six weeks to replace a problematic sewage system. News 5 stopped by the reopening to hear from people who rely on this library.
Sand Creek is one of the family-friendly locations in the Pikes Peak Library District. That's why they're happy to be open to everyone again.
“We are definitely very pleased that the library is open again,” says Carla Bamesberger, PR and marketing manager.
After six long weeks, the Sand Creek Library on S Academy Boulevard finally reopened for business Tuesday morning. The employees welcomed their loyal guests again. Andrew Ezellwash is glad the wait is over.
“I'm excited, I'm excited because I love this library. I come here often and record too. They also have a recording studio that I use,” says Ezellwash.
He's not the only happy person here. Gary Patterson tells us that Sand Creek is a popular social gathering spot.
“A lot of people here are friends with each other and we’ve been living apart for a while,” Paterson says.
Due to plumbing problems, the library and several other neighboring businesses have had to close several times in the past year. Gary Syling of the Pikes Peak Library District says 187 feet of plumbing pipes that run under parts of the library needed to be replaced. Most of it was originally installed in the mid-1980s.
“It was quite a task,” says Syling. “Some of these pipes were up to 8, 9, 10 feet deep.”
After cleaning up and making some upgrades, like brand new computers for their computer lab, Tuesday was all about the importance of people coming back.
“We want to make sure we're there for our community to have access to computers, Wi-Fi and other things that we have to offer, because in many areas of the Springs people may not have access to those things otherwise.” says Bamesberger.
Meanwhile, many regulars used the Ruth Holley Library, about a ten-minute drive away, but nothing compares to a popular, familiar spot.
“I know the staff here is really good, and I know a lot of people who come and go here,” Ezellwash said.
Sand Creek Library.
When it reopens, the library system plans to close the Penrose Library for two months. Renovations on this branch are expected to begin next month.
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