New library a step closer
The Gore District Council has revealed concept plans for its new library and community space which it hopes will become a legacy space for generations to come.
The project cost has increased from an estimated $5 million to $6.82m, with the council needing to borrow $1.32m to complete it.
Gore district mayor Tracy Hicks said the council was pleased to be able to present the concept plan at the end of what has been a testing year.
‘‘As a community, we have faced some incredible challenges first with February’s floods and then Covid-19. It’s great to close out the year on a more positive, aspirational note.’’
The James Cumming Wing become the permanent home of the Gore Library as well as a new James Cumming Community Centre.
The concept plan has the library set over two floors and features several bookable and free rooms for public use, as well as a sunny area facing on to Ardwick St.
At the southern end of the building is the new James Cumming Community Centre. It is self-contained with a separate entrance and toilets, as well as a kitchen and storage for clubs.
The exterior of the building will be completely re-clad, all windows will be double-glazed and a new roof put on.
The total cost of the concept plan was $6.82m. However, the cost to the council is less than half, at $2.86m, council chief executive Steve Parry said.
The council said in July that the project would cost an estimated $5m but that estimate was based on a square metre price.
‘‘To be fair that budget was a mad scramble during lock down to meet the Government’s deadline for shovel ready funding applications. We needed to allow for a complete transformation of the facade, and until we went through the consultation process with the public and got an understanding of what they wanted in
the building it was difficult to come up with a definite price,’’ Parry said.
‘‘We already have $1.5m in our long term financial planning, so in reality, we will be only uplifting just over $1.32m in new loan funding,’’ Parry said.
The council received $3m in funding towards the town’s new library from the Government’s ‘‘shovel ready’’ funding and the council already has $1m from Mataura Valley Milk for the project.
The council is seeking feedback on the new library project, either on its www.lets.talk. goredc.govt.nz website via a feedback form at the Gore Library. Feedback is open until December 14.
‘‘As a community, we have faced some incredible challenges . . . It’s great to close out the year on a more positive, aspirational note.’’ Gore district mayor Tracy Hicks