Library strengthening to start

The Nelson City Council has voted to begin earthquake strengthening of the Elma Turner Library.

At yesterday’s council meeting, the mayor and 12 councillors voted unanimously to approve strengthening works, valued at about $1.4 million.

The central city library has been closed since June after its heavy ceiling tiles were deemed a serious quake risk. A popup library was put in place.

Work would begin immediately and the pop-up library would remain open while the repairs took place. The main library would open in phases, with the goal of reopening the riverside area by January.

The repairs would involve upgrading the ceiling’s bracing to 67% of the New Building Standard by properly clipping its tiles into frame, mayor Nick Smith said. It would take about 28 weeks to complete.

This was the new council’s first project to involve substantial capital expenditure, so it was important for councillors to ‘‘throw everything they had’’ at it to get the library functioning again, Smith said.

Deputy mayor Rohan O’Neill-Stevens acknowledged the library reopening task force for the work it had done in restoring a core social service. Additionally, library staff and volunteers had done their best over the past few months to provide services within very little space, he said.

Councillor Aaron Stallard said key users of the library were retirees and families with young children, so it was paramount that their safety was taken into account.

Councillor Pete Rainey said it was important to note that the restrengthening did not mean the pathway for a new community hub would be shelved.