By Ben Chevrette, Staff Writer
In a room filled with stunned and jaw-dropped Otis Library trustees, Tribal Chairman Michael Thomas announced a $1 million donation to the expansion campaign for the Otis Library in Norwich.
Donating double the original request of $500,000, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council voted to support the library as part of its continued dedication to the city's revitalization effort. "I had to take a minute before coming in today to look around at the changes to downtown Norwich," said Chairman Thomas before announcing the donation. "It's just amazing." Critical to the continued growth, he said, is developing a library that can "compete with Playstation and the internet" and be a resource to local citizens. "In all of my years of doing this," said Colleen Freeman, director of development as she raised her champagne glass to the Tribe, "there has never been a gift so special in so many ways. I hope the Tribe gets as much in return as they so generously give. We are more thrilled than you could know." The $9.5 million dollar project is nearing its goal of fundraising, having received $4.5 million from the state, $1.6 million from its endowment, $800,000 from the city of Norwich and $1.8 million in private donations which includes the Pequot donation. "This announcement makes everything possible," said Linda Summers, Otis Library executive director. "This is a critical gift for us to move forward and makes a tremendous difference. It's beautiful." The library, complete with a highly technological media area, children's section, community rooms, coffee shop, leisure reading area, fiction and non-fiction as well as reference area and children's playrooms is anticipating a December 2006 opening and a cornerstone laying ceremony in late June of this year. The library continues to serve the community during the construction in its temporary location in the old Sears building. The library project is one of several Tribal interests in Norwich's revitalization which include the recently opened Mercantile Exchange, the Norwich Inn, Thomas Dodds Stadium and a joint laundry venture with the Mohegan Tribe.Last updated on June 08, 2005