It’s been several years in the making, but a dream addition to the grounds of the Greenville-Butler County Public Library is becoming a reality in 2010.

Groundbreaking for an open-air pavilion is set for 11:30 a.m. Monday, January 25.

“We have this wonderful natural amphitheater we’ve always wanted to take advantage of, and now we can,” said head librarian, Burke McFerrin.

“We foresee this being used for concerts, plays, dances, parties, wedding receptions, reunions – most any type of event that can be held outside.”

McFerrin said the library board had been working and planning on the pavilion addition since 2004 when requests for funds were first made. Family emergencies put the plans on the back burner, “but things are fully back on track now.”

The project’s primary funding is coming from the Daniel Foundation of Alabama.

“We are so fortunate in this economy to have funding from a private foundation like this, because our local governments are cash strapped,” McFerrin said.

The 2,000-square-foot board-and-batten structure’s design will allow it to blend well into the architecture of the library and the adjacent elementary school buildings, she said.

According to McFerrin, the facility will have one central room; a warming kitchen for caterers and others bringing food (but not for cooking on site); large men’s and women’s restrooms, and storage, with the rest of the facility wide open to enjoy south Alabama’s typically temperate weather.

“We’ve also incorporate heavy-duty wiring to allow use by bands and photographers without concerns about blowing fuses,” McFerrin said.

The pavilion is set to be completed by late spring or early summer.

“I am really looking forward to it,” McFerrin said. “I think it will be a real plus for the community, an alternative many community and civic groups, government groups and private citizens will want to utilize.”