Tuesday 13 May 2014

Council to consider Sumner Community Centre, Museum and Library rebuild

Christchurch City Council’s Community Committee and Hagley/Ferrymead Community Board have endorsed committing $10.17 million to the rebuild of a new Sumner Community Centre, Museum and Library on the site of the demolished facilities in Wakefield Avenue.

The committee and the community board will jointly recommend to the Council on 12 June that it should set aside up to $10.17 million, including $1 million from insurance proceeds, for the project. A total of $9.17 million will be allocated from the Council’s Betterment and Improvement Allowance.

Of the three concepts put forward, the committee agreed to proceed with concept two, which includes a library, accessible parking, community office space, a museum display area and a ‘pocket park’ on the ground floor. On the first floor, there will be more community space, a hall, kitchen and museum space.

The committee and community board will recommend the Council begins stage two of the project, which includes carrying out detailed design work and consulting with the community more widely about their needs for the new facility. It will also recommend setting up a joint working group, comprising community board representatives, Council staff and other community representatives, to guide the developed design of the new facility. The working group will be chaired by a community board representative.

If the Council next month agrees to move to stage two of the project, Council staff will investigate other funding options, reporting back to Council with the final budget needed for the project before a building contract is awarded.

Community Committee Chair Yani Johanson says this is another step forward for the Sumner community. “A key thing people identify they miss in the quality of life surveys are their local libraries and community facilities. This has been a top 30 priority project for the Council and a lot of work has been done to get it to this stage. It is a case where the insurance was valued at a lot less than the true and real cost of replacement.

“As such, there is a significant funding gap which can be addressed by the Betterment and Improvement Allowance. This was set up to meet those sorts of shortfalls. It’s important we signal to the community that we’re committed to a new facility by setting aside funding so the project can continue.

Hagley/Ferrymead Community Board Chair Sara Templeton says she is pleased the project will now progress through to the Council. “We’re looking forward to further consultation with the community and setting up a working group made up of community representatives, Council staff and community board representatives. This will be an important vehicle for us to ensure this facility meets the needs of residents in Sumner and its surrounding suburbs,” she says.

Other recommendations from today’s committee meeting:

Waltham Lido Pool
The Committee will recommend that the Council grant an additional $708,000 from its Betterment and Improvement Allowance, to allow the repair of the earthquake-damaged Waltham Lido Pool to go ahead. On 3 October 2013, the Council agreed to repair the pool. However, during detailed design work, it was discovered that the pool water services systems needed to be upgraded to meet minimum pool safety standards. This involves the full replacement of all equipment, pipe work and associated systems. Council staff were requested to apply for external funding for some of this cost, and will approach the Spreydon/Heathcote Community Board for a contribution. An update on the status of the pool’s plant will be provided to the Community Committee prior to the 22 May Council meeting.

Victoria Park Information Centre
The Committee will recommend that the Council approve the repair of the Victoria Park Information Centre. Built in 1898 to commemorate the Queen’s 1897 Diamond Jubilee, the building has been closed to the public since sustaining earthquake damage in 2011. Repair costs will be covered by insurance, and the building will re-open as an information centre once repaired.

- ends -

© Scoop Media