30 March, 2017

A ground-breaking day for Westgate

Construction begins today on the new Westgate Multipurpose Community Facility, which is set to become the heart of Westgate’s metropolitan centre.

The occasion was marked this morning with a karakia from the local kaumātua and a sod-turning event – the first key step on the construction of the long-awaited, first multipurpose community facility in Auckland.

The facility will be an integrated library and community centre located in Te Pūmanawa Square and will offer a safe and supportive community place where people can learn, create and connect.

This next generation facility is expected to be completed late 2018 and is set to become the core of Westgate’s urban, metropolitan centre. It will offer a range of services including library spaces, an interactive children’s area, and various digital and creative hubs.

Henderson-Massey Local Board Chair, Shane Henderson, says the multipurpose facility will help meet the needs of the community.

“This facility has been a long time coming, so I’m thrilled to see the ground breaking and blessing take place. It will be a part of a new generation of council facilities that are flexible and that provide a range of features, from a kitchen and community garden, to event and library spaces. Our board is grateful for the many people who have helped get this project underway,” he says.

Waitakere Ward Councillor Linda Cooper says Westgate is a key area of development for Auckland.

“Westgate and the surrounding area are growing fast and it is forecast that by 2020 another 40,000 people will have moved to the northwest. To support this growth, we need to provide high-quality community and social facility infrastructure. Since the amalgamation of the council, our local libraries and community centres now serve a wider region and need to be future-proofed for accommodating extra growth in the area,” she says.

Construction of the building will be carried out by Fletcher Construction Limited, who was awarded the contract of $26.9 million after a competitive tender process. The company was selected for its track record and high level of experience in constructing private and public buildings in New Zealand.

For further information on more West Auckland projects visit the Auckland Council website, or take a virtual tour here.

About the Westgate Multipurpose Community Facility

The 3,600m2 facility will include:

• Library spaces

• Interactive children’s area, featuring integrated public art

• Community multipurpose spaces including:

• Digital and Creative Hub (Makerspaces, digital space, music rooms)

• Business Innovation Hub

• Food Hub (kitchen and community garden)

• Event Hub (large cultural/multipurpose space)

• Meetings rooms (small, medium, large)

• Large foyer/multiuse space (i.e. exhibitions, meetings)

• Storage

• The facility will be operated through a unique partnership between the Auckland Council’s Libraries and Arts, Community and Events departments.

ENDS

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