The next step towards the creation of the planned Thyen-Clark Cultural Center in Jasper was taken this afternoon with a groundbreaking ceremony held at the future site of the planned facility at the corner of Third Avenue and Mill Street. The former site of Hoosier Desk.
A large crowd gathered as members of the Jasper Library Board, library staff and well as board members, and staff of the Jasper Arts and Jasper city officials took part in the ceremony.
Once completed, the $17 million facility will serve as the home of Jasper Community Arts and the Jasper Public Library. It will replace the current Jasper Library which was first built back in 1951.
The project which kicked off in the fall of 2014 with the decision to purchase the former office furniture manufacturer building is being funded by the library and the city of Jasper, as well as through tax credits from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and community donations totaling nearly five-million dollars.
Dean Vonderheide who served as president of the Jasper Library Board during a large part of the planning stages of the cultural center before he was appointed Mayor of Jasper earlier this year says the planning of the new facility has come a long way over the last four and a half years…
The building is named in honor of former Kimball International executive Jim Thyen and his wife Pat Clark Thyen. Mrs. Thyen is a member of the Jasper Community Arts Commission.
Library Director Christine Golden says the reality of the process thus far has been a dream come true…
Construction of the new Thyen-Clark Cultural Center is expected to be an 18-month process, culminating with a grand opening of the Cultural Center in the Fall of 2020. Krempp Construction, Inc. of Jasper has been selected as the General Contractor for the project.
