New Library Plans Brought Forward
Council is very excited to accelerate progress with our community’s purpose-built library, following the acceptance of the Better Off Funding Package. During consultation for the 2021 to 2031 Long Term Plan, the decision to proceed with a new library build was planned for initiation in 2026 (year 5). Starting the project in year 2 will mean our community will be able to enjoy your new library space much sooner than expected.
Our well used community library is located in central Greymouth. Council would like to continue our popular service in a modern, energy efficient building designed to meet our community needs. Council are in the process of identifying a suitable site in or as near to the CBD as practicable to enable continued ease of access for our current and future users.
As this is a community focused project, we will be sharing regular updates and information on the progress of your new library build, including location, plans and future services. Our intent is to apply the Council’s Vision of a ‘Thriving, Connected and Resilient Grey District’ through the application of our four wellbeing’s; Economic, Social, Cultural and Environment. We will look forward to sharing this information with our community.
Mayor Tania Gibson said "Todays libraries are so much more than books, our new library will provide spaces for kids to access modern technology to help them with their studies, spaces for them to learn and play. It will also provide more spaces for groups and clubs of all ages to meet. It will be a truly multifunctional centre that the community and visitors can be proud of. The current library in Albert Mall has been operating from the same space for a long time and is not up to the current expectations of the community"
The Library and Museum Strategy in 2018 highlighted that the current library was too small for the population it served, the offering was dated and the building did not provide good safe work spaces for the library team and at certain times the library is filled to overcapacity with the technology and wiring in the building not allowing for minor improvements. Options of adding another storey to the existing building is deemed not to be viable for the model that needs to be achieved.
The economic development that a new build in our town will provide, along with employment and the welcome refresh to our CBD coupled with the Pounamu Pathways and other planned developments will make our district future fit and encourage the community into the CBD and to support its local businesses.
This exciting project is expected to take 3 years to complete.
To refresh your memory on your 2021 -2031 Long-Term plan and your Community Consultation Document, please select the links below or visit our website: https://www.greydc.govt.nz/
2021 to 2031 Long-Term Plan (page 183)
