Shawnigan Lake School has opened a new $10-million library.
The new facility, called the Jim and Kathryn Shaw Library, was officially opened on May 25 by Jim and Kathryn Shaw themselves, the library’s sole patrons, after seven years of planning and development.
Jim Shaw spoke of the pride he feels in giving back to a school that has given him so much.
He told students that he and his wife wanted the focus of the festivities to be on teamwork.
“These are values that will lead you on whatever path you choose,” Shaw said.
At 12,500 square feet, the library is the only timber-frame building in Canada devoted to education.
Its opening marks the culmination of the school’s new Learning Commons, which was officially opened by Lt.-Gov Judith Guichon on April 30.
Headmaster Davis Robertson said the new library is the “jewel in the crown” of the new learning commons.
“In keeping with the school’s aim to propel its students confidently into the next century, the library supports numerous collaborative work spaces and reading rooms, all yielding a minimum of 250 learning spaces,” he said.