Tauranga council chooses new library build over renovation

Tauranga Central Library. Photo/File

The Tauranga City Council is pressing on with plans for a new library building, deciding it would be too hard and expensive to renovate the current location.

The City Transformation Committee yesterday voted to focus on developing plans for a new building to house Tauranga Central Library.

The members agreed the current building at 91 Willow Street was not suitable for a future-proofed, fit-for-purpose central library service.

In a statement, thecouncil said the building, built in 1987, had ongoing issues with dampness, limited natural light, space and dated interiors.

Property experts TwentyTwo assessed the feasibility of renovating but concluded it would be too hard and not cost-effective to fix the issues.

Committee chairman Larry Baldock was pleased with the decision, saying it was the best solution.

"A new building provides us the opportunity to deliver a fit for purpose central library service and strongly supports a more vibrant, safe and successful city centre.

"We have received a clear message from our community to 'do it once and do it right', and the decision to plan for a new building is in line with that," Cr Baldock said.

The business case for a new central library will form part of a broader business case for cultural facilities including plans for a museum.

Formal consultation on the redevelopment of the central library and the future use or demolition of the current library building will take place as part of the Long Term Plan process in early 2018.