– Ground was broken during a ceremony this past Wednesday morning for the new Parks Library Branch that will be constructed on property adjacent to the Parks City Hall building.
St. Martin Parish Library Director Charlar Brew, Parish Library Board President Tommy Romero, Parks Mayor Kevin Kately and St. Martin Parish President Pete Delcambre were among the officials taking part in the ceremony, along with parish council members and Parks city council members. The Rev. David Rozas of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Parks led a prayer and blessing for the new library.
The library will be 3,599 square feet with a budget of $2.184 million.
The building will include a meeting room children’s room, teen and adult area, collection shelving, two collaborative study rooms, public computers, public restrooms, a staff area and lounge seating and storage.
The project is expected to be complete in February of 2027.
Kately said the having the new library next to City Hall was “a perfect, perfect opportunity to have a brand new City Hall next to a brand new library, perfect for the community. But understand it was all teamwork, because we had to have our Parish Council on board, we had to have our Library Board on board, Parish President. Everybody had to be on board, even the community. And we did it.”
Library
He also singled out City Council members Yvonne Narcisse and Eva Potier for their work in helping get the library project together.
Delcambre said that though he came on late to the process, being elected after the wheels had begun spinning for project, but was thankful he could help the project move forward.
“The kids and the community, this library, are going to be the recipients of everything good that has happened here,” he said.
Brew thanked everyone who worked to get the library approved.
“This moment represents far more than the beginning of the Parks Library project,” she said. “It marks the beginning of new opportunities for a stronger connection and a lasting investment in our community. Libraries have always been a place where knowledge, imagination and opportunity come together. They are places where children discover the joy of reading, students pursue their dreams, job seekers build new skills, and people gather.
“I would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the St. Martin Parish Library Board of Control, elected officials, community leaders, the architects, the contractor and my staff, and every resident of the Village of Parks who believed in this vision and made this day possible. Your commitment led us to this exciting milestone.”
