Library construction starts with demolition
BERL TISKUS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 11 months AGO
Lizzy Jore, North Lake County Library staffer, takes a swing at a wall of the old library during demolition day. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
North Lake County Library District Board Member Allen Bone, left, and employees Mallory Witham and Maclain Burningham suit up for demolition day at the library. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
Reporter Berl Tiskus joined the Lake County Leader team in early March 2023, and covers Ronan City Council, schools, ag and business. Berl grew up on a ranch in Wyoming and earned a degree in English education from MSU-Billings and a degree in elementary education from the University of Montana. Since moving to Polson three decades ago, she’s worked as a substitute teacher, a reporter for the Valley Journal and a secretary for Lake County Extension. Contact her at [email protected] or 406-883-4343. | May 11, 2023 12:00 AM
The bright yellow walls of the North Lake County Library building in Polson had big red x’s on them indicating which walls were to be demolished as construction began on the building May 3.
Library director Abbi Dooley brought library staffers Lizzy Jore, Maclaen Burningham, Angela Claver, Felicia Gill and Mallory Witham to the building to don shiny red hardhats and take a swing at the walls to launch the project. Also along for the momentous day was Connie Brownell, library foundation chair, and Allen Bone, library board member.
“We’ve been waiting and talking about it (remodeling) since I joined the board,” Bone said.
After the ceremonial demolition, Martel Construction got down to business. By the end of last week, Dooley said all the bathroom fixtures had been removed, the bathroom and office walls demolished, and all the lighting had been taken down. Construction is expected to be completed in December, Dooley said.
In the meantime, the library is up and running at the United Methodist Church, 301 16th Avenue E., Polson.
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