CHICOPEE — Chicopee’s new community hub, The Hub at Market Square, will be opening its doors on Saturday, Sept. 13, with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. at 31 Springfield St.
Festivities will follow the ribbon cutting ceremony including free activities, an outdoor market, food vendors and live music.
The festivities will take place from noon to 5 p.m., with food trucks, a bookmobile, face painting, chalk art, board breaking, slime making, other crafts and a Zumba class.
The schedule of events can be found at the city of Chicopee — Mayor’s Office Facebook page.
ChicopeeTV will also be hosting its second screening of their short horror film, “Vestiges,” at 4 p.m. The event is free, and free popcorn will also be offered.
The building has been vacant for 20 years and might finally have a path to being used again.
The original library was funded in 1853 and built in 1913, and has been designated as a historic building.
In 2004, the library expanded and moved to 449 Front St., leaving the former central library building vacant since.
The building has sat idle due to it not being ADA accessible and in need of capital improvements like a new roof.
An assessment was done to repair the roof, provide ADA compliance and overall make the building usable.
Planning Director Lee Pouliot added that construction included adding an elevator, replacing the roof, fixing and adding new mechanical systems, life safety systems, security and fire suppression and upgrading the limited electricity.
While talking about the upcoming event on Reminder Publishing’s podcast, “So That Reminds Me,” Mayor John Vieau said when the library was moved to Front Street 20 years ago, it left a void for residents visiting downtown.
He also said the Fairfield Mall and Holyoke Mall “ruined” downtowns like Chicopee, but this new community space will improve the area.
The new space, along with multiple storefronts opening up on Center Street and in the downtown area, will give residents multiple places to visit.
