Built in the heart of Surrey’s emerging downtown core, the new City Centre Library is set to open its doors to the public this Tuesday. The first major public investment in the area since the redevelopment of Holland Park in 2006, the new library is both an architectural wonder and a civic anchor for the changing neighbourhood.
Surrey Library Tour Photo by Paul Hillsdon
Built under the federal and provincial stimulus programs, the library faced an expedited construction schedule. To meet the tight deadline for completion, the building’s architects from Bing Thom used social media to engage citizens in the design process. In collaboration with library staff, BTA asked locals to send in pictures of their favourite libraries on Flickr. A local blog showcased the building through its construction. These successful initiatives led Surrey Libraries to embrace the new mediums – they know have an active Twitter account and Facebook page.
The four-storey grey and glass building features undulating curves that hug the street. Evoking a nautical theme on the outside, the library looks like a modern art gallery on the inside. Coated with white walls to boost indoor lighting, the floors of the library gently slope around a grand central atrium. The LEED-certified building is specially designed to avoid absorbing direct sunlight, which allows it to reduce cooling costs, and also features the City’s first green roof.
Surrey Library Tour Photo by Paul Hillsdon
Spanning 77,000 sq. ft., three times larger than the City’s former main library in Guildford, this branch is more community centre than traditional book warehouse. With a fireplace, study rooms, a coffee shop, children’s area, teen lounge, SFU Continuing Education classrooms, community meeting rooms, and more, the space is designed for people over books. Over 80 computers will be available to the public, as well as free wireless internet for those with laptops or tablets.
The City Centre Library opens it doors to the public with a soft launch today (Tuesday, September 6th at 9:30am). A Grand Opening will follow on Saturday, September 24th from 11:00am to 3:00pm.
This post was contributed to Miss604.com by Paul Hillsdon. Paul is the chief editor of Civic Surrey, a local blog charting the maturation of BC’s second largest city. Follow @PaulHillsdon on Twitter for his updates.
Since 2008, we have been developing custom WordPress themes (websites, blogs, newsrooms) for our clients through our company, sixty4media and I wear many hats (from customer service and accountant, to coder and developer). We love creating new, updated, and modern themes for our clients and about 12 months ago we figured it was about time that one of our biggest assets got an overhaul.
With little fanfare this weekend, we rolled out a new theme on Miss604.com. This is the second WordPress theme that the site has had throughout its five years on WordPress (in the early years before, it was powered by Blogger) and the last theme was implemented in 2008. At that time, I sat down with Hubert Florin from Raincity Studios and he created the Miss604 logo and the “girl” logo that I still use today.
We wanted to maintain Miss604.com branding but upgrade my overgrown theme, bulked up from countless updates and changes over the last three years, so we did two things. We began a development site and we enlisted the design skills of our friend Preston from SixSix8 Productions. I’ve known Preston for over twenty years and we’ve worked with many of his designs before. He always works diligently to deliver exciting designs and is constantly honing his skills to produce the most up-to-date looks.
Over the last year we’ve done changes “when we can” between John’s day job and my work with our company. The design is a result of John’s knowledge, Preston’s creativity, and a whole lot of patience. The code is clean, I’m running a minimal amount of plugins, and from a developer standpoint, I’d like to think it looks rather slick behind the curtains.
I believe we achieved my goals with this theme, and there are still a few surprises and updates that will appear over the next few seasons. I do hope you enjoy the new layout and thank you for your continued readership.
Surrey presents the free Youth Fest this month at the Guildford Recreation Centre. Events will begin around 4:00pm on Saturday, September 24th and include concerts from youth bands, skateboard demonstrations, a teen dance, and more.
In the Gym: Sumo Suit Wrestling, Velcro Olympics, Big Bout Boxing, First Down Bungee Run, Airbrush Tattoo Artists, Caricature Artist, Learn to D.J. Booth, Urban Art Wall, Youth Focused Resource Tables. There is also free food and plenty of chances to sign up for giveaway prizes.
Outside: Rock Climbing Wall, Coastal Riders Skate Team Demos, BMX Demos, Outdoor BBQ, Bands on the SYC Tom Lee Stage.
Teen Dance: For those ages 13-18 (must have a valid GoCard or ID with you) starting at 9:00pm. The dance is free but you can book your spot on the guest list by calling 604-501-5100 (Registration Number 4266489) or try at the door on the night of the event.
Festival goers can catch a free shuttle bus to the event from various community centres, from Fraser Heights to Cloverdale, South Surrey, and more. Parents can check out the Youth Fest Parent Guide for additional information.
Miss604.com is a proud media sponsor of this event.
I’m in disbelief that the Labour Day long weekend is already here and that those famous mini donuts (and deep-fried Pop Tarts) at the PNE will be gone again for another year. There’s still time to check out plenty of activities in the sunshine this weekend — and Tourism Vancouver’s even made a Top 10 list just for the next few days. For the rest of the month, here’s what you can look forward to putting on your calendars.
Photo credit:
!graceface! on Flickr, from the Miss604 Flick Pool
Friday, September 2, 2011
Vancouver Latin American Film Festival (until September 11)
Vancouver International Tap Dance Festival
Midnight Movies at the Rio: Quadrophenia
Fair at the PNE
Longest Game of Hockey for Cystic Fibrosis
Friends of the VPL Used Book Drive (until October)
Saturday, September 3, 2011
2011 TELUS TaiwanFest
Kerrisdale Antiques Fair
Vancouver International Tap Dance Festival
Fair at the PNE
Longest Game of Hockey for Cystic Fibrosis
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Bake Sale for Easter Seals
Steveston Farmers & Artisans Market
Dr Sketchy’s Anti Art School
Vancouver International Tap Dance Festival
Fair at the PNE
2011 TELUS TaiwanFest
Kerrisdale Antiques Fair
Longest Game of Hockey for Cystic Fibrosis
Monday, September 5, 2011
Fair at the PNE
2011 TELUS TaiwanFest
Longest Game of Hockey for Cystic Fibrosis Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
Feast of Fields is coming to Krause Berry Farms in Langley in just a few weeks and tickets are currently on sale. I first heard of the Feast of Fields concept when I toured Fairburn Farm on Vancouver Island during a Cowichan Valley trip in 2009. The idea is to bring together “city folk” with “farm folk” in the middle of a farmer’s field to enjoy a communal meal that was prepared with fresh, local ingredients.
Feast of Fields events are hosted each year in three regions, the Okanagan (@OkanaganFeast), Metro Vancouver (@MVFeast), and on Vancouver Island (@VIFeastofFields). I was fortunate enough to visit Krause Berry Farms a few weeks ago during strawberry season and see where the tables would be setup for this year’s event.
Tickets for the September 11th event are $85 which includes contributions from over 60 of Vancouver’s finest restaurants, local vintners, breweries, spirits and more. Organizers say: “Feast of Fields is like a 40 course meal.” You can purchase tickest at all Choices Markets or online.
They have also arranged a shuttle from Choices Market on Cambie or Commercial (departing at 12:00pm and 12:15pm respectively) for $15. It will return from the farm at 5:15pm.
