Library repair costs queried

An experienced structural engineer says it is ‘‘not conceivable’’ the cost of strengthening Wellington’s central library can be higher than constructing a new building.

The central city facility has been closed since March last year after it was deemed earthquakeprone, and the cost of strengthening it could be up to $200 million.

Adam Thornton, who has 45 years’ engineering experience, said the cost estimates released by the city council on Friday were hard to comprehend. ‘‘It is not conceivable that the cost of a retrofit should be more than a new building,’’ he told councillors at a meeting yesterday.

The council paper listing the various strengthening options was based on several reports councillors had reportedly yet to lay eyes on.

The lack of information led to mayor Andy Foster pulling the paper from the council’s agenda yesterday while more information was provided. He said that would allow the council to consult the public on one option rather than a set of options.

Councillors reportedly raised concerns over the proposed reopening date during a meeting with engineers on Tuesday.

The cost estimates in the council paper included structural repairs, renewing building services installed when the facility was constructed in 1991, hard fitouts like walls, floors and partitioning, and soft fitouts like workstations, furniture and IT equipment. It recommended councillors approve a ‘‘highresilience’’ $200m strengthening option, which would result in the library reopening in 2026.

Demolishing the existing library and building a new one on the same site would be up to $67m cheaper but would take a year or two more than the most extensive strengthening option.

Thornton said the construction costs quoted in the report were ‘‘significantly greater’’ per square metre than for other comparable projects.

Wellington-based architect Roger Walker said although constructing a new building was cheaper than a retrofit, demolition of the building was ‘‘unthinkable’’. Its designer, Sir Ian Athfield, was a ‘‘creative genius’’, Walker said.