Wednesday 25 May 2016

St Albans Community Centre consultation begins

A new St Albans Community Centre is on the way, and residents have the opportunity to provide feedback on the concept in a consultation running from Friday 27 May – Monday 20 June.

The local community will be able to discuss how they think the new community centre could enhance St Albans, and how they see themselves using the facility, before the final design is approved by the Shirley–Papanui Community Board. The current design concept has been developed by the community, alongside Christchurch City Council and the St Albans Community Centre Working Party, using information first gathered in 2010 when an expansion to the previous community centre was being planned.

The previous St Albans Community Centre was demolished after sustaining severe damaged in the Canterbury Earthquakes, and a transitional community centre has been operating at the Colombo Street site since 2012. This temporary facility was intended to be operational for 2–5 years until construction of a permanent replacement could get underway.

The public can comment via Have Your Say, at www.ccc.govt.nz/haveyoursay or by filling out a submission form at the transitional St Albans Community Centre.

Mike Davidson, chair of the Shirley–Papanui Community Board, says the Board is excited with the development and progress of the new centre and is looking forward to the design going out for public consultation.

"Throughout the Community Board's engagement with residents and community groups, there was a very clear desire to replace the old community centre, so the St Albans Community Centre Working Party was formed," Mr Davidson says.

The working party was established by the Shirley–Papanui Community Board in November 2015. The party consists of representatives from the St Albans Residents Association, St Albans School, Edgeware Business Association, St Albans Pavilion and Pool Group, a youth representative and representatives of the Shirley–Papanui Community Board.

"Using information from both pre- and post-earthquake, a design has been created that truly captures the essence of St Albans. This group has worked with Council staff to create a concept design, which is now ready for feedback from the wider community," Mr Davidson says.

There will be two drop-in sessions at the transitional St Albans Community Centre, 1049 Colombo Street for the public to come and meet the working party and discuss the project. The drop-in sessions dates and times are:

• Wednesday 8 June, 11am–1pm

• Thursday 16 June, 6pm–8pm

In July, the final concept will go to the Shirley–Papanui Community Board for approval, with construction set to begin in 2017.

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