Opawa to get new library building

Opawa will get a new library building after its former earthquakedamaged base was deemed too expensive to repair.

The Opawa Public Library, which is run by a team of about 20 volunteers and has 600 active members, abandoned its 81-yearold building on the corner of Opawa Rd and Richardson Tce in Christchurch after it was damaged in the 2011 earthquakes.

It has since operated from the nearby children’s library on the banks of the Heathcote River, but there was not enough room to properly display all its collection.

Library committee president Marianne Field inOctober expressed her frustration at the lack of action and delays in rebuilding the library.

The Christchurch City Council has now announced it would build a new volunteer library, rather than repair the existing building, after a cost estimate to repair it exceeded the council’s budget.

Council head of community support, governance and partnerships Lester Wolfreys said the new facility would be a modern, low-energy and accessible building of about 200 square metres. It would include both Opawa Library and Opawa Children’s Library services.

He would not provide the rebuild budget because it was subject to a commercial tender process.

Wolfreys said work would begin once all the planning was completed and consents were obtained. He did not say when that was likely.

The old building, which did not have heritage protection, would be demolished and a new building constructed on the same site, he said.

Field said having a new library was exciting for the community. ‘‘I know our volunteers are excited about working in a modern building.’’ She hoped the council would incorporate some of the original heritage features in it.