New South Library and Service Centre – workshops Wednesday 8 February 2023

South Library Workshops: Wednesday 8 February 2023

On Wednesday 8 February, Christchurch City Council is engaging with customers and staff about what they want to see in the facility when we rebuild.
Here's your chance to meet the designers – your feedback will shape the design, feel and functionality as we prepare the initial concept design. The building will keep the same floor area and remain on its riverside site.

Drop in to the Beckenham Service Centre Boardroom in the South Library building.

Register
• 10am–noon (This session is intended for resident associations, community groups and regular facility users, but if you're unable to come along at this time you’re welcome at either of the other two)
• 2pm–4pm
• 5pm–7pm

Get in touch and stay updated

Check for background information on the South Library and Service Centre project. You can sign up to this newsletter there too.
Email southlibraryproject@ccc.govt.nz if you have any questions.

What's happening to the South Library and service centre building?

We're engaging with the community as we explore plans for rebuilding the quake-damaged South Library and customer services building, Te Kete Wānanga o wai Mōkihi.

The building was badly damaged in the 2010/2011 earthquakes. Temporary strengthening has made it useable, but the community deserves a permanent solution that will future-proof the facility for decades to come.

Even setting aside the earthquake damage, the South Library and Service Centre building opened in 2003, and is due for an upgrade to modern standards – it could be much greener and more energy efficient, and the space inside could be improved to better suit customers and staff.

That's where you come in

We're beginning the design process for a rebuild, and part of that is talking with you about what you want to see in the new facility. Your feedback will shape the design, feel and functionality. The building will keep the same floor area and remain on its riverside site.

A public meeting on the future of the South Library building was held on 27 June. Watch it on YouTube:

What happens next?

We expect to have a concept design for the Council to consider in the first half of 2023 – then the Council will make a decision about whether to rebuild or repair.

They’ll also need to secure additional funding in a future Annual or Long Term Plan, because at the moment there’s only $13.6 million set aside for the project, and we know that the cost of the work will be higher.

In the meantime, we’re staying open and you can keep using the building as normal.

There's no start date yet. We expect construction work to take about 18 months, and we're scheduling it for after the new Hornby Centre opens in late 2023.

While the work is underway, we’ll set up a temporary library in a suitable premises.

Find out more