Proposed Beckenham Library Service Centre
Notes of public meeting held at The Cashmere Club, 5 December 2000
Present:
- Oscar Alpers, Chairman of the Spreydon/Heathcote Community Board
- Nick Chapman, Community Advocate
- Simon Markham, Information Officer
- Sue Sutherland, Libraries Manager
- Hilary Renfree, Spreydon Library Manager
- Fiona Aydon, Advocacy Team Assistant
- Spreydon/Heathcote Community Board Members: Lynda Carter Ian Howell Elizabeth Maunsell
Ian Howell opened the meeting at 7.02 pm.
OPENING REMARKS
The purpose of the public meeting was to get feedback from the residents in the area and to inform them of the planning procedures to be gone through before the building of a new Library/Service Centre in South Christchurch. The proposal is a great opportunity for the Community and in keeping with Library/Service centres in Fendalton, Shirley, New Brighton and Papanui.
The proposal is achievable as the Christchurch City Council already owns the land on which the facility is to be built, and it is conveniently located in the middle of the area it will serve. It will provide not only Library Services but also new Service Centre services. It is hoped that the proposal will be received favourably by the Community and that input would be forthcoming.
SUE SUTHERLAND'S PRESENTATION
A precis of Sue Sutherland's presentation is attached.
SUMMARY OF ISSUES RAISED
Simon Markham, the Council's Information Officer opened the floor to questions from the public. The following is a summary of the points raised.
Future of Existing Libraries
1. Spreydon Library Spreydon Library is to remain open. It will not be extended but refurbishment of the existing building is a possibility. Approximately 20% of the collection will be moved to the new library. Each library will have a library manager and the Spreydon Library Manager will remain
The previous strategy to upgrade the Spreydon Library proved not to be feasible because of planning difficulties due to land designation and significant trees which cannot be relocated.
Users of the Spreydon Library enjoy its proximity to the Shopping Mall and commented that there are no shops adjacent to the Beckenham site. However, the Fendalton Library which has no shops nearby, is proving to be very successful.
2. St Martins Voluntary Library The St Martins Voluntary Library is to remain open and the Children's Library moved to the new library at Beckenham. Sue Sutherland will meet with the volunteers who run the library in February to discuss these issues. She anticipates that the St Martins Library will receive its grant as usual and that if a grant could be obtained through the Community Trust there was a good chance the computer at St Martins Library would remain.
Sue Sutherland would appreciate feedback on the issue of how children who do not have transport would access the new library at Beckenham. She wishes to discuss the future of the Children's Library with the volunteers at the St Martins Library in February
3. The Beckenham Volunteer Library Sue Sutherland hopes to meet with the volunteers who run the Beckenham Library in February to discuss the Library's future.
Design of the New Site
Although design work for the site has not yet started, many people voiced concerns regarding future development of the site.
1. Road Closure of Hunter Terrace Simon Markham reported that at this stage a road closure was not in the brief. Nick Chapman, however, was aware that the Parks Unit had been proposed a plan to close Hunter Terrace and landscape the riverbank. It was agreed that Council units should coordinate such projects. A member of the Cashmere Club was of the opinion that the Club would have reservations regarding a road closure of Hunter Terrace and that the caf and theatre mentioned in Sue Sutherland's presentation would provide unwelcome competition for the Cashmere Club. However, the proposed theatre and caf were not intended to be commercial venues which would take business away from the Cashmere Club.
2. Parameters of the Site A Hunter Terrace resident was concerned about the increase of traffic the new facility would generate and what the parameters of the new site would be. Simon Markham reiterated that as yet no design work had been done and that the new facility would require Resource Consent and that the normal planning procedures and consultation processes would be gone through.
It is not possible to speculate about the use of residual land not used in the development of the site at this stage. None of the trees on the Beckenham site are notable and there is a possibility that some may be removed, however, it is the intention that the site be developed in keeping with the surrounding area. Mrs Margaret Guilliland's comments that the future building not be a prominent one and blend into a park like setting were noted.
3. The Service Centre Mr Peter Tuffley of the Beckenham Residents' Association voiced concern that the Service Centre facilities may be reduced and that the Community may lose access to Advocacy Services. He commented that at the new Fendalton facilities the Advocacy Team are 'tucked away". Nick Chapman responded that the accessibility of the Advocacy Team would be a design consideration and that community governance is considered to be an important part of Local Government. Simon Markham added that the Christchurch City Council is committed to the relocation of the Service Centre with the Library and also to walk in service delivery points.
4. The Proposed Caf The necessity of the provision of a caf was questioned and would it compete with nearby businesses. Sue Sutherland responded that the new facility at Fendalton does not have a caf but that the caf at New Brighton was proving to be popular and the feedback from patrons had been positive.
5. Future Planning and Expansion There is concern that with the new facilities to be provided that the library's primary function as a repository for books will be compromised. It is hoped that future planning will include space for the expansion of the collection. Mr Peter Tuffley added he hoped that the design of the building will take future technological advances into account in the sense that the building will be adaptable.
OTHER ISSUES
1. Single Storey Building A request was made to that the building be single storied with good access for the disabled. Sue Sutherland reminded the meeting that the Christchurch City Council is committed to its Disability Policy.
2. After Hours Facilities It was suggested that there be access to secure after hours facilities, similar to aeas where there are cashflow machines. A secured area could be accessed by swiping a library membership card.
3. Seating and Signage in the New Library Comment was made that there is not enough seating at Spreydon Library to sit and browse. A request for signage was also made for the new library to make it easier to know where to access library services such as 'requested' books.
4. Children's Play Area A request was made for a children's play area. Design of such an area could be done in conjunction with the Parks Unit.
5. The Learning Centre The Learning Centre is seen as an asset for school children. Simon Markham stated that talks with local headmasters had been promising and that there was an opportunity for organised learning programmes as well as unorganised community use.
6. The Potential of the Orbiter Bus Preliminary discussions with the CRC have revealed that if there is significant commitment shown to the Beckenham site, the Orbiter bus route could be deviated to accommodate the new facility.
The meeting closed at 8.30 pm.
