GDC confirms CCO for establishing a new library for the district
Grey District Mayor Tania Gibson.
Council received 15 submissions on the proposal to create a CCO for the project, and four submitters presented their views to Council in person. Council appreciated the submissions and the two more technical submissions received are being referred to the Design Engineers for the project as a means of ensuring an optimally functional building is built.
Councillor O’Connor expressed disappointment that there were only 15 submitters, but took the small number as endorsement that the CCO should go ahead. He suggested when consultation begins on the interior lay-out of the library he expects there will be more interest.
Mayor Tania Gibson said library services are under strain and the technology requirements for a modern library and community hub are not present in the current site.
“If we don’t do this now with the funding we have received it isn’t something we’ll likely to be doing in the future. It’s very much now or never.
“We have good indications coming through already around tenancy for the building.”
The newly established CCO will:
- Construct a building on the north-western corner of Boundary Street, Greymouth (the old R&N Traders site) comprising two floors with the top floor to be developed as a library/social hub comprising 1304.66 m2 of floor space which will include a café, children’s area young adults area, break out rooms and meeting rooms. The bottom floor will provide for a total of 822.64 m2 commercial rental space. Provision is also made for 10 on-site parking spaces.
- Manage the complex once built and occupied efficiently, productively and in close pursuance with the expectations of Council and DWC as partners/shareholders.
Mayor Tania Gibson says she is excited to see the project progress and looks forward to construction beginning as soon as possible.
“This is an exciting development for Council and for the district. We had more than 5,000 people come into the current library in April – I can’t wait to watch those numbers grow in the future with a new, dedicated social hub that will be designed and constructed to meet the needs of all our communities. This project further builds on Council’s focus to make our District attractive to current and new residents and will supplement community facilities like the Westland Recreation Centre.”
