Update on Katikati's new library

Katikati Library. Photo/File

People interested in hearing about the new Katikati Library and Community Hub are invited to attend a public information evening next week.

Plans are underway to build a $3.5 million library and service centre in the Western Bay town, along with a multi-purpose community hub.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council is hosting a public meeting on Tuesdayfrom 5.30pm to 7.30pm at the Katikati Memorial Hall Lounge for anyone interested in the project.

People will hear from local Katikati councillors about the background of the project and how it is the "anchor building" for the implementation of the Town Centre Plan.

A presentation will be given by Graham Price the project architect followed by a short question and answer session.

The council's customer relations manager, Barbara Whitton, said the Katikati Community Board were keen to provide an opportunity for people to engage with the process and the idea for a public information evening came about after a strong community interest emerged in the early stages of the project.

"The public interest in this project has been incredible. The Katikati community is so supportive of the new library and community hub so we wanted to give people a chance to see where things are at.

"The architect has developed a vision for the library and the community hub based on the Town Centre Plan concepts, site connectivity, and the heritage and culture of Katikati.

"Anyone interested in hearing about the process we're going through and how the architect plans to incorporate the essence of Katikati into this building should come along."

Feedback sessions and other community engagement exercises will be rolled out as the project progresses.

"We want to make sure the community is involved in this process and can have their say, so we can make the Library and Community Hub the best new building in the country and a place we can all be proud of. This meeting is the first step," Ms Whitton said.

Project architect Graham Price, of First Principles Architects, said he was excited about helping create a place everyone in Katikati would enjoy and be proud of for many years to come.

"This is a project that is embodied in the hearts of the community and will make a real difference to the town centre, creating a true destination and meeting place for local residents and visitors."

A Community Reference Group has also been created for the project. The group has an advisory role and is made up a cross-section of the Katikati community and will represent the community and work with Council throughout the project.

Members include representatives from the Katikati Community Board, Katikati Resource Centre, the Western Bay Ratepayers Association, Katch Katikati and Katikati Open Air Art.

A detailed design of the building is expected to be complete later in 2016. Once this is approved by the council the project will go out for tender. Construction may begin by the end of the year and is expected to take about eight months.

Keep up to date with this project at www.westernbay.govt.nz/katikati-library.