Pictured in front of the huge fire place at the town’s new $1.3 million library Saturday at the grand opening were (left to right): Scott Johnson, of Portland; Andie DeBiase, the co-chairman of the Building Committee and Director of the Library; Larry Hanson, a volunteer for the library and a major part of the move from the old to the new library; and Mary Lou Johnson of Portland. (Laura Dunham photo) CARRABASSETT VALLEY — The cold wind whipping across the parking lot near the entrance to Sugarloaf as the ski trails loomed in the background, didn’t seem to bother the 200 or so people who came to the grand opening of the new $1.3 million library and community center Saturday.

Selected to cut the ribbon for the new 6,600-square-foot facility, were two longtime library supporters and board members, Louise Chase, “known as the God Mother of the Library and the Volunteer of the Decade,” and Joyce Demshar, the library’s founder back in the 1970s.

Carrabassett Valley Library board members Christine Schipper and Joyce Demshar are pictured at the new $1.3 million library grand opening Saturday. The women show off the new computer center where they are compiling old clippings of the town’s library over the years. (Laura Dunham photo) Welcoming those who had come to see the new library and take part in the ribbon cutting ceremony were: Jean Keith, President of the Carrabassett Valley Library Board of Directors; Dave Cota, Carrabassett Valley town manager; Marcia White, Co-Chairman of the Building Committee and Director of Services for Sugarloaf and board member of the Western Mountain Center for Children; and John Beaupre, Carrabassett Valley Selectman. They all expressed their delight in seeing a dream come true with the construction of the new library and community center. Also speaking was Andie DeBiase, Co-Chairman of the Building Committee and Director of the new library, who gave a lot of credit to the young members of the board especially Kim Kearing and Augusta French. “We all had a dream but they made it happen,” said DeBiase.

Tucker Plouffe of Strong enters the new Carrabassett Valley library with a plate full of brownies for the library’s grand opening Saturday. Plouffe attends the daycare at the library. Also attending the grand opening was John Blanchard, the owner and project manager from HE Callahan which built the two-story facility.

One of the major attractions at the library is the huge stone fireplace with the comfortable chairs in front of it. This was made possible, said DeBiase, by last minute donations.

DeBiase and Keith especially thanked all the volunteers who had given so many hours to get the new library open, pointing out Larry Hanson who just moved box after box from the old library next to the airport to get ready for the opening. One of the new featured items on the wall was a quilt handcrafted by Jano Wilkinson, selectman in Stratton.

Refreshments were served in the new Begin Family Room which was made possible by Clem and Rolande Begin of Carrabassett Valley who have a 10-year commitment to the project.

The board now looks forward to getting the landscaping done in the spring.

Starting Feb. 15 reservations will be taken on community room rentals. There is a charge for parties; otherwise it’s free for non-profit organizations. The room rental times are from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Additional space includes the Western Maine Center for Children open seven days a week for 52 weeks, serving children of local parents, and the Library Mezzanine a Carrabassett Valley Pre-school two half-days for 34 weeks.

Of course the board still has a wish list that includes a children’s playground, perennial gardens, movie screen, world map, memorial/honor patio, AV equipment, theater curtain and books, books and more books.

For more information one may call the library at 237- 3535 or email adebiase@carrabassettlib.me.us.