Name wanted for the Sumner Library, Community Centre and Museum

Christchurch City Council is encouraging people with creative ideas to suggest a name for the new Sumner Library, Community Centre and Museum.

Construction of the two-storey, 1300-square metre building on the corner of Wakefield and Nayland streets is due to begin in August 2016 and is expected to take ten months to complete.

The design of the centre draws inspiration from the coastal landscape, incorporating natural timber, the colours of the seaside and architectural features from the demolished Sumner Community Centre and Museum.

Councillor Andrew Turner, chair of the Communities, Housing and Economic Development Committee, says, "With construction about to begin the name for the centre is one of the last aspects to fall into place."

"This new combined facility will become an important gathering place for the community. We are looking for something that will capture the elements of the Sumner community and all that the centre will offer – a library, museum, meeting rooms and large hall with a stage."

"We know there are no shortage of creative ideas for names in the community. The team had a great time sorting through suggestions for Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre – inspiring, amusing, or both. Running a similar type of campaign for the Sumner facility is the obvious choice."

“Making a permanent contribution to the community and seeing your winning name up in lights is quite the reward in itself, but there’ll also be $50 credit at Christchurch City Libraries for the winning entry,” says Councillor Turner.

The competition runs from Monday 23 May – Sunday 12 June 2016. Submissions can be made online at www.yourvoice.ccc.govt.nz/sumnercentre or at drop boxes located at Sumner School, The Hub Sumner, Linwood Library and South Library. The best suggestions will then be voted on by the public and a winner announced in July 2015.

The centre will incorporate a library, community centre and museum. The library, community office, display area and library courtyard will be situated on the ground floor with the rest of the community functions, hall, kitchen and museum space on the first floor.

Funding of $10 million was earmarked for the facility in the Council’s 2009–2019 Long Term Council Community Plan. In December 2015, Sumner Redcliffs Historical Society announced it will contribute $50,000 to the new facility. The funding will go towards the construction of the museum.

The former community centre and museum on the site were demolished in June 2011 and the library demolition was completed in 2013. A new library and community facility was identified as a key feature in the Sumner Village Centre Master Plan, which was developed in response to the Canterbury Earthquakes to redevelop Sumner Village Centre as a charming and relaxed beachside village.

To enter the competition, or for more information on the facility, visit www.yourvoice.ccc.govt.nz/sumnercentre

ENDS

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