Cascade to Break Ground on New Library This Month

Excitement is brewing in my town of Cascade as the community eagerly anticipates the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Cascade Public Library & Community Center. Scheduled for Tuesday, March 26th, at 5:30 pm, this event marks the beginning of a transformative journey for Cascade and its residents.

The Cascade Public Library has long been a cherished mainstay, serving as a beacon of knowledge and community engagement since its establishment in 1968. However, with the population of Cascade and its surrounding townships on the rise, the need for a modern, more spacious facility has become increasingly apparent.

Enter the new Cascade Public Library & Community Center – a project that embodies the collective vision and aspirations of the community. Designed to enrich the lives of all patrons, the new facility will offer a diverse range of resources, programs, and services tailored to meet the needs of individuals of all ages and backgrounds.

From book clubs and after-school programming to summer activities and access to newspapers and magazines, the new library will be a dynamic space where learning, creativity, and our community can thrive. With state-of-the-art technology and resources, including 3D printers, computers, and Wi-Fi access, patrons will have the tools that empower exploration and innovation.

The timeline for the project is well underway, as fundraising and design efforts progressed well from the summer of 2022 to winter 2023, followed by our groundbreaking this spring and completion expected by summer of 2025.

None of this would be possible without the generous support of the community and partners like the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque. With funding from various sources, including Dubuque County ARPA Funds and City of Cascade Bonds, the project is well on its way to completion.

Reflecting on past achievements, the Cascade Public Library in its current location served as a vital resource for the community, with over 27,000 checkouts, over 1,200 monthly visits, and over 3,000 attendees at library programs just in 2021. These numbers underscore the importance of the library as a hub of learning, connection, and enrichment. It's the baseline that our community will continue to grow and flourish from, as the over $3 million new facility begins in the construction process.

As we look ahead to the groundbreaking ceremony on March 26th, all community members of Cascade are invited to join in celebrating this momentous occasion. Together, we are embarking on a new chapter in Cascade's history – one that promises to elevate our community and enrich the lives of generations to come.