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Ada to add a community center and library downtown

Part of the project will also include a riverfront park which is already underway. Trails will be put in along the river. "One of the things we heard is to engage the waterfront and add that to the downtown area. That will include a playground, picnic tables, and better view of the river."

Big changes are taking place in Ada Township and now a fundraising campaign should help build a new community center and library.

The future site will be located off Headley Street, behind Community Church on Thornapple Drive.
Brian Hilbrands, DDA Coordinator said, “It’s kind of a gathering place. That's what we're missing in the village, no central gathering place. The library community center will be that new hub."

Part of the project will also include a riverfront park which is already underway. Trails will be put in along the river. "One of the things we heard is to engage the waterfront and add that to the downtown area. That will include a playground, picnic tables, and better view of the river."

The cost of the project is a little over $11 million. Hilbrands said although there are some great donors in the area, the township wants to include the community in the process. "We'll be doing a promotion so families and businesses can put their names on the brick. It will go in front of the community park and they can all be part of Ada moving forward."

The township announced on Friday the name of the new library. It will be called the Amy Van Andel Library and Community Center. Steve and Amy Van Andel are the lead donors on the project.

The fundraising campaign kicks off this weekend. The community center and library should be done in 2020. The park should be finished by the end of the summer.

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