4th February 2013

Second stage of Hastings Library reroofing project to begin

The second stage of the reroofing project at the Hastings War Memorial Library will begin on Monday 11th February.

The roof of the original library building will be replaced as part of the regular maintenance schedule. The section to be replaced runs from the car park entrance to the far wall of the children’s section.

Hastings District Council project coordinator, Tony McHannigan, says the work may take about four weeks to complete, depending on the weather.

“The first part of this project includes work on the guttering system and there will be minimal noise or disruption to customers. Some scaffolding will be erected around the outside of the building, but there will be no access issues.”

Once that is completed the roofing iron will be replaced. The Library will close on Sunday 24th February in order to erect the internal scaffolding required for the project and again on Sunday 10th March for the removal of the scaffolding.

Paula Murdoch, district libraries manager, says this part of the project will create some noise and cause disruption to library users.

“The scaffolding and planking inside the library will have an impact on our customers. The upper floor from the Reference Section back to the Activities Area will be closed to the public.”

“We are working closely with the project team and contractors to ensure the least possible inconvenience to library users.” Paula says. “The closures are scheduled for Sundays to keep the impact on access to a minimum.”

The first stage of the project which included repairs and sealing of the roof of the Hall of Memories was completed in December. Paula says those repairs have ensured the integrity of the irreplaceable Peter McIntyre war mural is maintained.

The Hastings War Memorial Library was officially opened on October 18, 1959. The fiction and nonfiction wings were both added in 1993 and are not in need of reroofing.

ENDS

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