23 February 2006
Community gala celebrates library opening
A fanfare of community gala activities - face painting, live performances, soap carving, a bouncy castle, and food and
craft stalls - will help celebrate the official opening of the new Upper Riccarton Community and School Library this
Saturday (February 25).
Christchurch Mayor Garry Moore will officially open the state-of-the-art facility at 11.30am, with a party atmosphere
prevailing within the library and school grounds from noon to 4pm.
On stage will be Riccarton High School $B!G (Js Pacifica group and jazz musicians, Scottish dancers, Dragheda Irish
Band, Farandol Folk dancers, Canterbury Japanese Choir, ballet dancers, Radio Fiji, Musica Balkanica Musical Society,
Tai Chi and Tae Kwon Do demonstrations and numerous school groups from the area (J- (J to name but a few of the
performers.
Upper Riccarton is New Zealand $B!G (Js first joint-use urban community and school library. It has been built by the
Christchurch City Council in partnership with Riccarton High School, and was designed as an integrated community and
educational learning facility. It serves the Riccarton, Avonhead, Ilam, Sockburn, Wharenui, Wigram and Riccarton High
School communities.
$B!H (JThe council $B!G (Js partnership with Riccarton High School has enabled us to create a facility where through
the sharing of resources, learning facilities and expertise we have provided the community with better facilities and
delivered a more cost-effective service, at the same time promoting lifelong learning, $B!I (J said Nicki Moen, Manager
- Community Libraries, Christchurch City Libraries.
The library houses a book and audio-visual collection of 50,000 items, providing facilities for residents and students
to study, access information and use the latest communication technology.
Designed by award-winning Christchurch architectural firm, Warren and Mahoney, the library boosts the latest
energy-efficient and environmentally friendly innovations, including an electronic weather station to monitor
temperatures and track heat and light.
What: Official opening Upper Riccarton Community and School Library When: Saturday, 25 February, 2006 Time:
From 11.30am to 4pm Where: 71 Main South Road, Upper Riccarton
ENDS