CARRABASSETT VALLEY - - The voters will decide on the proposed Carrabassett Valley Library and Community Center on March 11. The final of six public hearings will be held tonight, Wednesday, March 4 at 6:30 p.m. at the town office. The New Building Committee will present the latest financial information including construction cost, fundraising and the final financial requests for the town.

"Libraries of the 21st century are becoming more like community living rooms," said committee co-chair Andrea DeBiase. "This project epitomizes collaboration in partnership in creating a multi-use facility that will truly provide educational, cultural and recreational opportunities for people of all ages, from Eustis to Kingfield and beyond. We are more than just our small town."

It is anticipated that representatives of Western Maine Centers for Children will also make a presentation as future renters of space inside the center.

"We're excited at the prospect of having the community childcare be its own non-profit agency and will be able to expand programs including an after-school program," said Marcia White, speaking for WMCFC. The community after school program will be open to Carrabassett students as well as surrounding towns.

New Building Committee Members include Andrea DeBiase and Marcia White as co-chairs, Augusta French, Kim Keering, Deb Bowker, Jean Keith, Joan Dolan, Cathy Witherspoon, John Beaupre, Dave Cota, Wendy Rosenthal, Peggy Bishop and John Norris.

The committee has raised over $500,000 in cash and future pledges, has $43,000 in a town library reserve fund and more pledges and additional grant opportunities in the works.

From the money raised, the group hired architectural firm Dick Reed & Company of Portland and the final design is complete. They've also contracted H.E. Callahan of Auburn to manage the construction project. It is estimated the project cost will come in a little over $1.5 million.

"With the money we've raised and the money we've asked the town for, the only cost to the taxpayers is just over $11 per $100,000 home evaluation," DeBiase explained.

The proposed building is designed at 6,500 square feet. Nine hundred square feet is designated as a community meeting room which would seat approximately 70 people.

The exterior, a brochure says, will blend in with the environment. The building is proposed to have sloping roof lines, natural red exterior siding and a timber screen covered entrance.

Literature says the building will be environmentally sensitive, using renewable energy systems and environmentally friendly "green" products for the building and furnishing.

The proposed childcare section has two childcare rooms with laundry and storage, its own bathrooms, resting rooms, childcare office, a cubby room and a storage room, among other features.

The library section will have separate spaces for sitting, an adult reading section, multiple bathrooms, a community meeting space, kitchen, a librarian office and circulation space, as well as other features. White added that the plan also calls for a gas fired fireplace for warmth and ambience.

"I'm so excited about the project, the volunteers — the people who put so much into the project," DeBiase explained. "It will be such a wonderful addition to the town."

The building will be located in the vicinity of the Anti-Gravity Complex.