Wednesday 28 September 2022

Welcome to the very first update on the development of the proposed rebuild of the South Library and Service Centre building.

You'll find all the background you need here – including a way to subscribe to these updates if you aren't already, and contact the team about what you want to see in the facility.

For the latest news, keep reading...

Just to bring you up to speed...

The South Library and Service Centre building was badly damaged in the 2010/2011 earthquakes. Temporary strengthening has made it fit to occupy, but the community deserves a permanent solution that will future-proof the facility for decades to come.

In June, councillors decided to investigate a concept design for a rebuild, rather than repair. Councillors will consider the concept design in early 2023. 

A rebuild will provide library, customer services, café, governance and meeting spaces within the existing riverside site, likely with a 2460 square metre footprint similar to the current facility.

There's no start date yet, but we estimate that construction work would take about 18 months. 

Concept design

The job of preparing a concept design for a rebuild went out to tender on 19 August 2022. The tender has just closed and we expect to appoint a designer in November 2022.

When the design team is on board, the design process can begin. At this stage we’ll engage with the community in more depth about how to perfect the design, including with groups who currently use the facility.

We received 372 submissions to our last public survey about what you like about the current library and service centre, along with what you’d like to see in a rebuilt facility.  You can see the summary of survey results here. This information was used to inform the working brief for the designers. 

Temporary facility

The hunt is still on for a temporary location for the South Library and service hub while it's between homes. We'll let you know as soon as we have one lined up.

Café

A new facility will have a café area included in the design. However, the contract with the current tenant ends on 24 December 2022, and the Council is working to find a replacement.

We're now accepting expressions of interest from passionate foodies interested in leasing and running the café for a fixed term, from December 2022 until the first quarter of 2024, when the South Library building is scheduled to close for the proposed rebuild.

It's a great opportunity – our surveys show it's the second most popular feature of South Library, whose visitors make up 8% of all library users. All the existing equipment would be part of the lease, and it could commence as soon as 9 January 2023. And of course, before the rebuilt or repaired facility opens, the opportunity will be back on the table for a longer term by way of a future lease tender.

Expressions of interest for lease applications close on Monday 31 October 2022. For more information please contact grant.mciver@ccc.govt.nz 

Get in touch and stay updated

Check here for background information on the South Library and Service Centre project. If you know anyone who's interested in the project, they can sign up to this newsletter there too.

Email southlibraryproject@ccc.govt.nz if you have any questions.

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It's easy to talk to us – follow us on Facebook, Twitter, call 941 8999, or talk to your Community Board members.