Joint Waikanae library, gallery project deferred
‘‘Recent estimates suggest we'd need to find $12m to $15m to build a joint facility inWaikanae, significantly more than the $9m allocated.’’
Plans to build a combined public gallery and library in Waikanae have gone on hold as Kapiti Coast District Council looks to tighten its belt.
The council had kept $9 million in its long term budget for the work, but now says it would cost upward of $15m to build a joint facility in Waikanae.
Community services group manager Max Pedersen said any discussion of a combined gallery and library relied on the council being able to secure a suitable site.
‘‘Recent estimates suggest we’d need to find $12m to $15m to build a joint facility in Waikanae, significantly more than the $9m allocated. This excludes any costs associated with land purchase.’’
Pedersen said the council was committed to funding its share of the planned Mahara Gallery upgrade, but ‘‘at this time’’ would not be progressing plans for a joint facility in Waikanae.
The council agreed to partially fund the upgrade of the Mahara Gallery in its 20-year budget and had been working with the Mahara Gallery Trust and Field Collection Trust since 2009 on the project.
Mayor K Gurunathan said it was disappointing that the council was unable to seize the opportunity to build the joint facility.
But he said it was important that the council make sure the Mahara Gallery upgrade had certainty about the council’s commitment to the project so they could continue fundraising to revamp its building.
Meanwhile the council is looking at options for the Waikanae Library.
Pedersen said the council would try to make better use of the existing library, which sits across a pathway from the gallery in Mahara Place.
‘‘At this point in time we are looking at how we can make better use of the space we have and what we can do to get a further five to ten years life out of the existing library building.
He said the decision did not mean a new facility would not be built in the future ‘‘but it is important that we are realistic about what the council can afford in the next few years’’.