Media Release

Release date: Friday April 22

Current library building safe for extension

At Future Tairawhiti this week Councillors decided not to earthquake strengthen the existing H.B. Williams Memorial Library building as part of the library extension project.

The recommendation of the project advisory group was to not proceed with any further strengthening on the current library building.

In 2013 a detailed seismic assessment was commissioned by Council on the current building to determine if it was suitable for use. It found the building to be safe under Importance Level two ‘low risk building.’

When the decision was made to design a library extension, Council had a second detailed seismic assessment done by Opus. They found the building to fit within current New Building Standards (NBS) 69% at Importance Level two (IL2). The report also confirmed the building’s classification as IL2 due to its occupancy of less than 1,000 people with less than 300 people regularly gathered in a single area.

Planning and Development Group Manager, Nedine Thatcher-Swann said “The current library building has been assessed ‘safe’ under IL2 twice. While we initially thought there would be some cost advantages upgrading the current library building to 67% of IL3 at the same time as the extension, it became evident that this would be at a substantial cost."

The Library is an internationally recognised example of modernist architecture. Earthquake strengthening would require bracing, placed throughout the building, compromising and damaging its character.

“If internal construction is required, we will have to close the library for one to two months, and will damage the original architectural integrity of the building.”

The new extension will be built to 100% of IL3 requirements.

“Earthquake strengthening is easier and much cheaper when you’re building from the ground up, because you’re don’t have to hold the building up while you reinforce its foundations,” said Ms Thatcher-Swann.

The library extension project is currently budgeted at $5.6m, with funding coming from Stanley Green, Hannah Dunlop, Jesse Iris Jeffrey, the J N Williams Memorial Trust, Eastland Community Trust, Eastern and Central Community Trust and Council.

Detailed design for the project is set to be completed in June and construction underway later this year.

The new extension on the H.B. Williams Memorial Library will allow for a range of previously unavailable activities on site.

The extension will provide dedicated communal areas like a multipurpose space and lounge to cater to the growing needs of the community.

Concept designs and can be found on our website www.gdc.govt.nz and a detailed history of the H B Williams memorial library can be found viawww.gpl.govt.nz/about-us/history.aspx

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