Councillor Walker said: "I'm delighted that work has started on this new centre, which will meet the growing needs of the community in Bathgate and West Lothian. The new building will be modern, attractive, spacious, practical and flexible, and the spaces will be used to their maximum potential."
Representatives from Enterprising Bathgate, Bathgate Town Centre Management committee, the Community Centre management committee, Bathgate Community Council and Ogilvie Construction attended the ceremony.
Phil McEwan, managing director of Ogilvie Construction, said: "It's great to see work starting on site. This new centre will breathe new life into the heart of Bathgate, and provide a stunning building for local people to use.
Ogilvie has enjoyed a good relationship with West Lothian Council in the past and we were pleased to be awarded the contract to build the new centre."
Cllr Walker (left) is pictured with Phil McEwan at the site start
The council's Library Services Manager, Jeanette Castle, added: "We are delighted that the new library will be in the centre of the town and right on the doorstep of many of our users. We also work closely with the Advice Shop and the CIS centre and we can benefit from bringing these services under one roof."
Ogilvie Construction, part of the Ogilvie Group, is one of the leading building firms in Scotland. The privately-owned business has its head office in Stirling, employs more than 400 people and has an annual turnover of around £100 million. It works throughout Scotland and the North of England.