Onehunga Full Steam Ahead For New Library And Community Centre

Onehunga is to get a new library and community centre. Auckland City’s Community Development Committee has endorsed the plan to build a new facility on the current site in Church Street. “The decision reflects the needs of the whole community and has huge potential for development of further opportunities in the future,” said Councillor Penny Sefuiva, chairperson of the Community Development Committee. “It will allow for flexible, state of the art library facilities, while also accommodating community groups and activities,” she said.

The process began back in May with a competition for four design companies to submit two options each; One for a new building and the other for a refitting of the current facility. The choice of the new building option was based on the recommendations from an evaluation panel established specifically to address community and environmental needs. The panel was made up of eleven professionals from the design and building industry, council officers, community planners, recreation and community services officers and two City Councillors on the Maungakiekie Board, Richard Northey and Catherine Harland.

Councillor Sefuiva pointed out that the proposed new building could incorporate positive aspects from the old one while at the same time proving to be a more cost-effective option than refitting the current building. “I hope this will address the concerns raised by some members of the community about the loss of history surrounding the municipal building.

Onehunga has a growing and diverse population and the Committee was mindful of the need for a facility that welcomes people, meets the needs and links in with the business district,” she said.

A value management workshop is planned next and Councillor Sefuiva view this as a particularly positive part of the process. “This is where the key users of the facility have a chance to get involved in the specific details and where we can look at the costs and keep within the budget,” she said. Regular and frequent users in the community and other users with a community overview will be invited to contribute and identify their priorities for the building.

“We want people to feel happy and supportive of this project and hopefully around autumn 2001 we will be looking for tenders,” Councillor Sefuiva says.

ENDS

For further information
Please Contact:
Councillor Penny Sefuiva
Chairperson
Community Development Committee
Tel: 846 0861

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