Library and Lions Community Building get much-needed makeovers

PRESCOTT – In a true joint effort, the Prescott Library has been transformed from a dark, cramped, cavelike space into a light and airy environment ideal for welcoming a crowd. Not only that, but the adjoining Lions Club Community Building got a kitchen facelift and new bathrooms as well.

The Walla Walla County Rural Library District Board, the Prescott Lions, and General Contractor Matt Tunell worked together on the massive remodel. The library hosted its grand opening on Sun., while work on the Community Building side is still wrapping up.

The Lions Club owns the building which houses both the Community Building and the library. The library district agreed to 10-year lease with the Lions club and paid in advance, which provided funding for the remodel of both sides of the building, according to Library District Director Rhonda Gould.

Tunell, who said the project was "a long time coming," was pleased to remodel the space that he originally helped build in 1999.

"They gave me a lot of design leeway, which made it really fun for me," he said. "I love Prescott and I'm excited to be part of something that is going to be here for a long time and will be important for the community."

On the library side, the space was opened up, the back wall was knocked out to double the space, and a large loft area was added. The new space includes a wall of computers with headphones, a projector/meeting area, new bathrooms and a stage.

Brian Segraves, of Coyote Cabinets, crafted a custom librarian's desk as well as custom cabinets and shelving.

Library Manager Shari Van Steenkist loves the new space.

"Now I can have more than five people in here at a time without it feeling overcrowded," she said.

Van Steenkist plans to use the loft for twice-monthly movie nights, showing a family movie one night and a documentary the other. Storytime is each Thursday at 11 a.m. and the Book Club will return on March 22, with a visit from the author of this month's book, The Low Road.

The library will host an annual Summer Reading Program beginning in June, and future plans include pairing with 4-H to offer STEM programs to local elementary students, Van Steenkist said.

On the Lions side of the building, the back wall of the kitchen was moved back six feet and the bathrooms were removed to nearly double the space.

"Before, you could hardly get two people working at the sink. Last night we had 11 people working in here and it was great!" Tunell said.

The building got two new bathrooms, a new mop closet and pantry an extended and updated kitchen and all new kitchen equipment.

"It was fun to keep some of the old character of the original space while adding new things like LED lighting. Everything is energy efficient to keep costs down. When you're only fundraiser is a monthly breakfast, that's important," Tunell said.

The Community Building is used for Lions meetings, receptions, community meetings and a variety of community events.

The Lions raise funds by hosting an all-you-can-eat breakfast the third weekend of each month, held at the Community Building from 8-11 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.