Today the City Transformation Committee has approved the recommendation to focus on developing plans for a new library building, agreeing that the current central library building is not suitable for a future proofed, fit for purpose central library service.
Tauranga Central Library is currently located at 91 Willow Street, behind the Council Customer Service offices. The building was built in 1987 when the local population was 60,000. The building has had ongoing issues with dampness, limited natural light, space and dated interiors, manageable only for the short-term.
Property experts TwentyTwo completed an independent building assessment to test the feasibility of renovating the current building. They concluded that it would prove too difficult to eliminate the current building issues and that it would be inefficient and not cost-effective to remediate the current building for a central Library service.
The community identified that they highly value the current library service however they recognise the need to modernise and expand the spaces and the type of experience provided.
Cr Larry Baldock, Chair of the City Transformation Committee, is pleased the committee has come to this decision, having had the appropriate comprehensive assessments completed.
“It is clear that the cost and risks of remediation of the current building are not sustainable, and the best solution going forward for a Library is to plan for a new building.
“A new building provides us the opportunity to deliver a fit for purpose central library service and strongly supports a more vibrant, safe and successful city centre. We have received a clear message from our community to ‘do it once and do it right’, and the decision to plan for a new building is in line with that.”
The business case for a new central library will form part of a broader business case for cultural facilities including plans for a museum. Formal consultation on the redevelopment of the central library and the future use or demolition of the current library building will take place as part of the Long Term Plan process in early 2018.