Library budget goes through roof
The South Waikato District Council has gone almost $18,000 over a $50,000 budget to fix Putaruru’s Jim Howland Service Centre.
The centre, which houses the Putaruru Library, was needing urgent repair work to its leaking roof and the council agreed to provide $50,000 of un-budgeted funding earlier this year.
Midway into the project unforeseen problems arose, including significant wet weather, resulting in more work and time.
The discovery of a second leak required the ridges of the roof to be replaced at an additional cost of $5175. Painting had to be put on hold due to heavy rain which meant scaffolding was in place longer costing an additional $9066 more than the $13, 915 expected.
Once painters began their work they discovered a previous painter had painted over rust and flaking paint. Rather than just painting over it permission was given to strip the rust and flaking paint back to bare iron. Stripping and preparation cost an extra $5600.
In total the additional work and longer scaffolding hire came to $19,840 which brought the overall project cost to $67,823. That meant an additional $17,823 in funding was needed.
South Waikato District Council group assets manager Ted Anderson asked councillors to sign off the additional funding during the council’s Community and Assets Committee meeting on Thursday.
No questions were asked by the councillors as to why the issues were not found before the project began however fearing growing costs they had pressed staff in past meetings as to when the project would be completed.
Putaruru ward councillor Herman van Rooijen said the extra funding was worth it as it ensured the job was done properly.
‘‘I must say I’m pleased the job was done properly. That building is an icon in Putaruru and it will safeguard it for quite a number of years,’’ he said.
‘‘I think it is money well spent.’’