EOI open for short-term Frankton Library space

The Queenstown Lakes District Council will be asked to approve a proposal to seek Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the provision of a leased Frankton Library space to serve the Frankton community and help inform longer-term investment decisions.

QLDC General Manager Corporate Services Meaghan Miller says scheduling of a Frankton Library has been accelerated following significant residential growth and the relocation of schools and businesses to Frankton and neighbouring communities.

“The growth in the Frankton community indicates there is a real desire for this service. In 2015, Council consulted on the development of a Frankton Library Hub and included funding for 2020. Since then a number of factors have influenced a shift in thinking.

“The recent Queenstown Town Centre Master Plan work demonstrated that a more significant library presence is not only desirable but appropriate for the CBD. This would be in addition to a Frankton Library.

“The implementation of a ‘pop-up’ Library at the Queenstown Events Centre has been an immediate success and strongly suggests that the appetite for a Frankton library exists. The service has grown organically with one book now being issued every two minutes and circulation has doubled since opening in early August.

“By beginning with a short-term lease at Frankton, the library space could be considered as an opportunity to test design, layouts and technologies together with the community to refine a long-term model for a Frankton Library Hub.

“We look forward to seeing the many benefits a library can deliver in the Frankton area such as a potential contribution to the cultural, artistic and literary landscape of the wider Frankton area.”

In approaching the market, QLDC hopes to identify suitable leased premises that are available in the near term on an affordable basis.

Council will be asked to consider the recommendation at Thursday’s Council meeting at Wanaka and if approved, funding will be made available through the 2018 10 Year Plan.

“The library proposal will then be subject to consultation with the community through the 10 Year Plan process but if supported we could potentially be issuing books on a more permanent basis at Frankton next year,” says Ms Miller.

ENDS

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