WESTFIELD–The Athenaeum received a much-needed donation yesterday to help continue the renovation efforts at the library.
Westfield Bank President and CEO Jim Hagan donated $100,000 to the Athenaeum located on Elm Street, from the bank’s Future Fund yesterday, and in the process also received a portion of the library that will be named after the bank. Renovations at the library have been ongoing, and has included modernizing the fire sprinkler system, adding restrooms, improving portions of the library and making the building more handicap-accessible.
Members from Westfield Bank present a check to members of The Athenaeum. From left to right: Jayne Mulligan, Susan Kingra, Kevin O’Conner, Dan Paquette, Jim Hagan, Linda Saltus, Joe Flahive
“We felt as a community leader we wanted to set leadership challenges for others in the community,” Hagan said of the donation made. “People in the community need education and this is where they come.”
According to Linda Saltus, who is chairperson of the Athenaeum’s building commission, the total raised with the amount given by Westfield Bank is now “just under $1.3 million.” Even with the donation though, Saltus said that more is needed.
“This is a great boost, but we continue to need to raise $300,000 to $400,000 more,” she said.
Thus far, renovations at the Athenaeum have included the removal of asbestos, the addition of foam insulation and a new fire sprinkler system. Still to come, a new wheelchair ramp and improved handicapped access point, improved parking and more handicap bathroom access, as well as a large reference and quiet study room, which will help to improve the limited access library-goers currently have to such. Additionally, a children’s library resource center will be created, which will be named “The Westfield Bank Children’s Library Resource Center.”
The bids for the next portion of construction are expected to be opened in early April, with construction starting as early as the first week of May.
