Philanthropists sought to help fund library, museum

Far North philanthropists and public benefactors are being sought to help finance a new, multimillion-dollar building to accommodate Kaitaia's library, museum, council service centre and visitor information centre.

The Far North District Council intends to press ahead with plans for a new building in Kaitaia to house all council-linked functions and services. But preliminary estimates indicate the project could cost more than $4 million.

"This is going to be a huge project for Kaitaia and we want to be sure there is broad community support and that it is affordable," said council customer services manager Chris Galbraith.

No site for the complex has yet been selected but the council has budgeted $1.5 million for the project in 2006-2007 and says it will make more money available in later years.

But it wants the Far North community to commit to "significant funding input" before starting the building.

Mr Galbraith said there needed to be "buy-in and support" from the community, as well as from external funding sources, for the project to be financially feasible.

The council hopes to attract significant local community and corporate sponsorship, citing other similar projects around New Zealand, in particular the gift of $650,000 from the late Ken and Rae Procter of Kerikeri.

The couple gave the money in 2001 for a new Far North District Council service centre and library in Kerikeri. The Procter Library was opened in February last year.

Far North Mayor Yvonne Sharp said other public donations had been made for the Kerikeri project.

"Maybe in Kaitaia someone would want to do the same, especially for a library and museum.

"We're appealing to philanthropic interests and we hope there will be someone with those interests."

Asked whether she could rule out a targeted rate, or rate rise, to help fund the centre, Mrs Sharp said the council had not yet explored funding options.

Mr Galbraith said a funding plan would be developed within the next eight months.