YORKTON - Thanks to the efforts of the Yorkton Kinsmen Maulers the Gallagher Centre has a new feature.
The club has spent the last two years negotiating and organizing and Wednesday morning they officially unveiled the ‘Mauler Library Project’’ in the Centre’s lobby.
Team spokesperson Terry Tyson said the idea of the team creating a ‘little library’ at the Gallagher Centre was initially suggested by Calvin Daniels, who as a local journalist is always looking for ways to promote reading.
The idea of little libraries is a simple one. Books can be taken by anyone, and at the same time people can leave books others might find and enjoy. There are several already located in the city including one maintained at the Yorkton Regional High School, one dedicated to Neil Thom and cared for by Yorkton this Week in the park adjacent to City Hall, and others in private yards.
That was a couple of years ago, and Tyson said they were immediately interested, but it took time to get everything in place.
The first step was to get permission to install the little library.
“We approached the city to see if we could have the venue,” said Tyson, adding they received “lots of support” but still had to negotiate that they would maintain the library.
“I think it’s a great addition,” offered David Balysky, manager of the Gallagher Centre, adding there “is a lot of traffic coming through,” which means a lot of potential users. He said the library will hopefully see many picking out a good book “to experience a new adventure.”
Tyson said with the venue approved there was still work to be done, including funding the project, so the organization went looking for sponsorship.
Former Mauler Dustin Nehring and NL Construction were first to get involved, donating the actual construction of the little library.
“That was an immediate yes,” said Tyson.
Nehring said “anytime we get a call” to help the community they are interested in supporting projects if able, so they were quick “to jump on board” with the library. “We’re always on board when we can be.”
Then there was a need for books and maintenance dollars. Tyson said he hoped there might have been some dollars remaining with the defunct Rotary Club in the city. He called Ray Bailey but found the Rotary money had all been donated. But Ray and his wife Crystal stepped up to donate the needed money.
“My father (Allan) was a voracious reader,” said Bailey, adding he also often lent books, so the little library was a great way to honour his memory.
Tyson said they then handed the library to Mike Stackhouse and Source Embroidery & Screenprinting for a wrap highlighting the library and its supporters.
“When I asked for the bill I was informed there wouldn’t be one,” said Tyson.
“We’re happy to be part of this project,” said Stackhouse, he said, adding the library illustrates in a small way why an organization like the Maulers is an important part of the community, because without it there may not be a book nook in the Gallagher Centre.
“So that was the two-year journey that should have been shorter,” said Tyson, adding it was worth the effort “to put the books where people are.”
Tyson concluded by inviting people “when visiting the Gallagher Centre to give a book, and take a book.”
