Creating The Old Library Ōmokoroa
Now that the Library and Service Centre has moved to its new site in Western Avenue, and the Lions have held their book fair, WBOPDC will commence community consultation on the future use of the old pavilion and the old library. It is no secret that we would like to utilize the building to create The Old Library Ōmokoroa to showcase and celebrate what Ōmokoroa has to offer - the environment, history, culture, creative art and crafts. To provide a place to meet friends and new people and to learn about the locality and activities. To be an inclusive shared place open to everyone; social connection for young families new to the area and unsure of where to start, and more mature individuals who may live alone and seeking social connection.
To begin with, we would have four main anchor groups – the Ōmokoroa history group, Ōmokoroa Artists, the Public Art Group and Ōmokoroa Environmental Managers Inc (OEMI). Ōmokoroa has a rich history but is expanding at a rate that risks losing sight of its beginnings.
Our local History Group has an absolute treasury of information through which we can learn how our community has developed, the people who paved the way, and whose names live on in street names and reserves.
OEMI would share the many aspects of the peninsula that benefit from their protection and enhancement – estuary restoration, care of historical reserves, the birdlife, habitat, etc.
Ōmokoroa Artists and the Public Art Group would share their creative talents, and local artisans would hold craft workshops such as collage, papercraft, drawing, poetry, language, etc. You name it, we’ll try to find it!
We nurture our physical selves with food, our psychological selves with creative interests, and our emotional selves with friendship and company. We aim to develop the old library into a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere, showcasing local talent and interests, including a connection with its ‘previous life’ with a collection of books on art and NZ history.
The Old Library Ōmokoroa will be a not-for-profit, volunteer-based organisation managed by its members and open to everyone.