Council will next week decide on the next steps for a museum, city library and new performance venue in the city centre, following a recommendation from the City Transformation Committee to adopt the Terms of Reference for the Cultural Facilities Project.
In September 2016, Council adopted an amended Long Term Plan and budgeted for three business cases for a museum, library and performance venue. The Cultural Facilities project sits under the Heart of the City Programme.
Earlier this week, the City Transformation Committee agreed to begin community engagement on the Cultural Facilities Project. It also agreed that museum location be within the boundaries of Eighth Ave and Marsh Street, in line with the Heart of the City Programme’s purpose of creating a vibrant, safe and successful city centre.
The first stage of community engagement, starting next month, will seek to understand the type of experience visitors expect to get from a museum and a library, how they should look and feel, what services are important and how they would want to use a museum and library in the future.
The committee will work with Tangata Whenua to establish appropriate representation in the project, recognising the special role and interest of Maori in the museum project.
It also recognises the special role of the Tauranga Moana Museum Trust in the development of the museum project, and will invite Trust representatives to relevant committee workshops.
City Transformation Committee Chair Larry Baldock said the Cultural Facilities Project is an integral part of the Heart of the City Programme.
“We will involve and engage the community throughout the project so they can help shape the cultural facilities that they want for their city. New, modern, purpose-built cultural facilities in the heart of our city would ultimately encourage more people to visit the city centre and stay longer.”
The museum detailed business case will guide Council’s decision on whether to invest in a museum and the library detailed business case will guide Council’s decision on whether to invest in a new or refurbished library as part of the 2018-2028 Long Term Plan.
The performance venue indicative business case will guide Council’s decision on whether to retain the land on 91 Willow Street for a new performance venue in the future. The business case will also consider a shorter-term option of increasing Baycourt capacity.