NEWS PHOTO MO CRANKER
Medicine Hat Public Library chief librarian Ken Feser plays with a foam dumbbell he constructed Monday at the library's new play place. The library will be opening the play space on Feb 1 at 10 a.m.
mcranker@medicinehatnews.com@MHNmocranker
The Medicine Hat Public Library is getting ready to unveil its indoor play space to the community.
The library will be opening the new space for the first time on Feb. 1 at 10 a.m. – it will then operate on normal hours with the library.
“We’re really excited for this,” said chief librarian Ken Feser. “The project is really working out well and it’s coming together nicely.
“We got a wall built for the area and we’ve got the fire alarms set up – we’re finishing up the project.”
The public library announced the free-to-use space in June during a free barbecue in the park. The space has been made possible because of a donation from South Country Co-op. Feser says the City also helped put the play structures together.
“Co-op was obviously huge in this and the City has been a great partner,” he said.
The public library is expecting a busy grand opening for the space, so it will operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with kids being allowed a certain amount of time in the play area.
“We want everyone to be able to experience the new space,” he said. “Anyone can just come in when we’re open – you don’t need a library card to get in.
“If you’re little then you’re welcome here.”
Feser says the space will keep kids busy.
“There’s not just one thing to do here – it’s more like 20 things,” he said.
On top of the large play structures for kids, there will be a magnetic wall, foam toys to play with, costumes, puppets, a tween area and more.
Feser says it is important to remember the library also offers books for kids of all ages.
More information can be found by heading to mhpl.shortgrass.ca
