Construction of the new $5.8 million Sugar Valley Library Museum at Cameron Park is now underway in what will be a first-of-its-kind cultural hub for the city.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser expressed her excitement and said the new site at Cameron Park would feature a museum, a library and a conference room.
“There are few libraries like this in the world, and our community will benefit from this innovative space where people can come to learn, create and connect,” Cr Fraser said.
“The museum will be a drawcard for tourists, with an array of historic artefacts on display and the latest technology adding a whole new level of engagement.”
Lake Macquarie City’s Arts, Culture and Tourism Manager, Jacqui Hemsley, expected the new building to increase visitation in the area by up to 35 per cent.
“This building enhances our library system and allows us to host touring art exhibitions,” Hemsley said.
“It also has a capacity to store up to 7000 heritage items.”
West Wallsend District Heritage Group Secretary, Leah Buchanan, said she was excited at the opportunity to see history come to life after the NSW Government announced it would fund a virtual reality program for the facility.
“A virtual experience will immerse visitors in Killingworth Colliery’s history, with a tour of a mine destroyed by a huge explosion in 1910,” Buchanan said.
“Through virtual reality goggles, visitors will travel along the old mine tunnels and find historic tools and objects.”
Construction company Lloyd Group will undertake the project funded entirely by Lake Macquarie City via development contributions.
“We’re truly honoured to deliver the construction of such a distinctive project,” said general manager Matthew Licuria.
“The team is looking forward to seeing the new facility bring together residents and the wider community.”
Construction is expected to be complete by late 2022 before Edgeworth Library services relocate to the new facility.
Lake Macquarie City announced that Edgeworth library would be decommissioned and that expressions of interest would be conducted in mid-2022 for a community group to lease the facility.
Maia O’Connor