Demolition of Sumner Library begins

Wednesday 9 January 2013

Demolition of the earthquake-damaged Sumner Library is underway and is expected to be completed at the end of this month.

Christchurch City Council last month approved the demolition of the library at 14 Wakefield Avenue. This came after a Detailed Engineering Evaluation of the building in May last year showed it had sustained major damage in the 22 February 2011 earthquake and Council insurers agreed the building was uneconomic to repair.

Unit Manager Libraries and Information Carolyn Robertson says the loss of the library has been a blow to the local community. However, the Council is continuing to look at options for a combined new community facility in the area.

The loss of three facilities that were all so close together – the library and the already demolished Sumner Community Centre and Sumner Museum – has given the Council a unique opportunity to begin looking at the type of facility that might best suit the needs of our community in the future. We will keep the community informed of progress.

A combined community hub is one of 30 priority projects which in September the Council agreed should be prioritised for funding, further investigations and, where possible, repairs under its Facilities Rebuild Plan project.

A mobile library service continues to visit Sumner and Redcliffs.

More information about the Council’s Facilities Rebuild Plan project.