Waimakariri invests in its libraries
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
While libraries around the country are facing cuts, a Canterbury council is considering expanding its main library and extending its operating hours.
Waimakariri's council is reviewing opening hours, including increasing Sunday hours, and the Kaiapoi, Rangiora and Oxford libraries are investing in new technologies.
This is in contrast to libraries in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, which are facing budget cuts as councils look to curb huge rates increases.
The Waimakariri District Council is proposing an average rates rise of 8.94%, while other councils are considering rates hikes of more than 10%.
Expansion plans are in the pipeline in Waimakariri's 2024-34 long-term plan to support a growing population.
The council will be consulting on whether to build a second building alongside the existing Trevor Inch Memorial Library in Rangiora, earmarked for the 2027-28 financial year.
Community and recreation manager Chris Brown said a new single-storey, 1345m2 library building would cost $16.8 million.
A second option was constructing a two-storey building, with the library on the ground floor and office space for council staff upstairs, which would cost about $30m.
‘‘We have council staff working in leased office spaces in the town, so we need to ask the community whether they prefer us to be supporting local businesses, or bringing our staff back into a council-owned building,’’ Brown said.
Waimakariri District Libraries manager Paula Eskett said extending Sunday opening hours were first looked at pre-Covid.
At present the Rangiora and Kaiapoi libraries are open from 1pm to 4pm on Sundays.
‘‘Traditionally Sunday hours were set around church time, but community members are saying they want to be in there on Sunday mornings.’’
Staff were considering extending the weekday closing time from 5pm to 6pm, and dropping the weekly late night at 7pm.
The libraries have upgraded their self-issue kiosks to make issuing books simpler, with the new kiosks just like ‘‘supermarket self-checkouts’’.
The Rangiora Library is also trialling a new digital smart shelf, which instantly scans the books when they are returned.
New technologies are being explored to offer learning experiences.
The three libraries hosted the Antarctic Heritage Trust’s virtual reality experience, featuring Sir Edmund Hillary’s Antarctic hut, over the summer, with nearly 300 people visiting over six days.
‘‘With the virtual reality experience, we had people who were in the 70s and 90s, so we had grandparents and kids using it at the same time,’’ discovery and digital co-ordinator Ciaran Findlay said.
The library was increasing gaming and craft technologies (‘‘Makerspace’’) initiatives to provide social and learning opportunities, he said.
Mayor Dan Gordon said libraries are bustling with events, technology to explore, and spaces to work or relax, and connect with friends.
‘‘The best thing about the libraries is how well they cater for residents regardless of age or background.
‘‘Staff often see grandparents with their grandchildren, particularly in the school holidays and there is something to keep everyone amused and entertained.
‘‘This is something truly special, and it’s worth the investment to ensure these connections continue to flourish.’’
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Heritage gem or dangerous burden? Bowling club’s dilemma with historic pavilion
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A Rangiora sports club is frustrated with the increasing maintenance and insurance costs of its 113-year-old pavilion, which can't be demolished due to its historic importance.
The Rangiora Bowling Club approached the Waimakariri District Council last year for help, but was yet to find a satisfactory solution for the pavilion.
It is registered with Heritage New Zealand and listed in the Waimakariri District Plan, leaving the club with few options.
The club’s ex-president Norman Hewett said the pavilion on Good St, north of the town centre, is unsafe and no longer fit for purpose.
Hewett said the council has been supportive and Heritage New Zealand has offered advice, but no funding.
‘‘Everybody thinks the building is worth preserving, but there is a cost and it shouldn’t be put on the bowling club.
‘‘As far as we are concerned it is not fit for purpose and we want to know how we can get round that.
‘‘We want to know what the community thinks and if they want to retain it, are they willing to pay for it?’’
The club has formed a sub-committee to explore what options are available.
Sub-committee member Rodger Wilton said the club has been unable to find any record that the club had a say when the building was given heritage status.
Built in 1911, the pavilion served the Rangiora Bowling, Tennis and Croquet Club, which originally shared the site.
It cost 945 pounds and was opened on October 28, 1911.
The three clubs purchased 1.25 acres on the corner of Blackett and Good streets in April 1905, but later parted company, with tennis and croquet moving to new sites.
While no quotes have been sought, Hewett believed it would cost more than $1 million to bring the pavilion up to code.
Ideally the club would like to demolish the pavilion so it can upgrade its main building and remain on site.
The stairwell was non-compliant and there was no wheelchair access, meaning the club was unable to use the upstairs facilities.
There are loose tiles on the roof which need replacing.
An attached building behind the pavilion is sufficient to meet the needs of the 140 members and for hosting the largest bowls tournament in North Canterbury, Hewett said.
He said the club is open to all options, including a land swap or selling to a developer with the expertise to restore the pavilion.
Waimakariri District Council community and recreation manager Chris Brown said the council is working through various opportunities with the bowling club as part of a feasibility study.
‘‘There are a lot of options to consider. Each have various financial, social and operational implications.’’
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga said it had ‘‘expressed support for the adaptive reuse of the building and supported the club’s intention to investigate options for the pavilion and the associated land parcel’’.
The Rangiora Bowling Club is keen to hear the views of the community. Email rangiorabowling@gmail.com.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.6% Yes
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13.9% No
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1.4% Other - I'll share below
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