'This is not just a library': Summerside Inspire Learning Centre gets major donation

The fundraising goal for Summerside, P.E.I.'s new Inspire Learning Centre has almost been reached after a major donation from Cavendish Farms.

The Irving-owned company has donated $150,000, and will eventually have the first floor of the new library named in its honour.

"It makes a huge difference to the campaign. This is a big project in a small community and donations of that size don't come along that often," says Steven Cudmore, chair of the fundraising committee with the Rotary Club of Summerside, the group behind the project.

"There's a lot that we're hoping to add to this facility that we can only do if we get these kinds of contributions."

Originally, the renovations to the former post office on Central Street were only going to involve the first two floors, but raising the fundraising goal from $1.5 million up to $2.5 million means the third floor will also be converted into usable space.

'This is a community building'

"This is not just a library. This is a community building," said Cudmore, comparing the new centre with Halifax's new library on Spring Garden Road.

"It's not a quiet building, it's conversational. There's little seating areas where people can read and work on their computers and laptops and chat. There are meeting rooms, community spaces, so not-for-profit groups can book out a room."

Another $200,000 still has to be raised to reach the $2.5 million goal, and Cudmore said raising that money will come down to the grassroots support at the community level.

He said the federal, provincial and municipal governments and a number of corporations have already contributed.

The Inspire Learning Centre is expected to open by the end of this year.

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