Find organisations, clubs, courses and moreNew Halswell Library and Community Facility
A new library and community facility incorporating customer service facilities and multipurpose spaces is being built on the existing Halswell Aquatic Centre site and adjacent land. The complex, fronting onto Halswell Road, will create a hub for the rapidly-growing Halswell community.
A Whakawatea (a blessing and sod-turning) to mark the start of construction was held on Friday 11 July 2014, and it’s expected that the facility will take about 16 months to construct and fit-out, giving the facility a scheduled November 2015 opening.
Funding of $22.9 million was earmarked for the complex in the Council’s 2009–2019 Long Term Council Community Plan. The existing library, built in 1968, is located in an older building and is too small for present community needs. The building’s future has not yet been decided.
Many groups in the community have been asked for their ideas for the proposed complex, which will be almost double the size of the Upper Riccarton Community and School Library. The popular outdoor pool, toddlers’ pool and hydroslide will be enhanced by landscaping and a new BBQ area. In winter, when the pools are closed, the changing rooms can be used as dressing rooms for performances at the centre.
History of the project
- Why was Halswell chosen for a new library and community facility?
- This is a planned facility to reflect the growth in the Halswell area. Rapid growth was underway well before the earthquakes and was identified in the South West Area Plan 2009. The need for a new library was outlined in 2008 in the Libraries 2025 Facilities Plan. Funding was set aside in 2009.
- What will a new library and a community facility contribute to the Halswell community?
- The new facility will contribute to the building of a strong community. The facility will give the community a hub – a focal point for residents and a safe and inviting place for people to gather. In addition, the current Halswell Library was built in 1968, and is outdated and undersized for present community needs.
- Why is the library combined with a service desk and community facility?
- The Council is moving towards combining libraries, customer service and community facilities as this is convenient for local residents and has some cost-savings for the Council. Similar facilities have proved popular at South Library and Shirley Library, for example.
- The Council has been talking about this project since 2009 – why the delays?
- Work to identify a suitable site and buy the land began in 2009 but was put on hold after the earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. Work resumed in 2012.
- This is the first I’ve heard of it! Have you talked to the community?
- Discussions with the community took place in 2012, to identify community needs and gather ideas. Workshops were held with community organisations and at schools and a drop-in session were held, attended by 46 people and 138 school students. A survey was distributed through various groups. We had 179 responses from individuals, families and organisations, with a high proportion from young people. This community input strongly shaped the current plans.
- What are some of the community’s ideas you were able to include?
- The community came up with many fantastic ideas and we were delighted we could include some of them in this project. They include:
- An indoor play area for young children.
- A café with outdoor views.
- A place of social connection that builds community.
- A specific area for outdoor community activities like markets and performances.
- A large 250-300 person conference/performance/multipurpose space.
- Capacity for dance and low-impact fitness activities.
- Was there anything lots of people asked for that you couldn’t include?
- There were some community requests for a gymnasium but the scope of the project and the priorities for the available space and budget meant this was not possible. However, the community rooms have been designed to accommodate low-impact exercise, dance and fitness classes.
The Council’s Capital Endowment Fund recently allocated money to Halswell School to enable them to extend their school hall to become a full court size and a facility to be shared with the community.
Ideas we have been unable to include in this project range from a graffiti wall to an equipment hire service. Some ideas cannot be included in this project but are planned elsewhere in Halswell, for example a skate park and 24-hour toilets. - Will there be another chance for us to have a say in the development of this facility?
- Yes – another round of community engagement is underway. While the design of the building itself has been finalised, the Council wants to hear the community’s views on what sort of services will be available once it opens. If you have a bright idea, you can
- email HalswellCommunityFacility@ccc.govt.nz,
- visit the current Halswell Library at 381 Halswell Road and submit it to our drop-box, or
- ask our friendly library staff.
- How can I keep up to date on what’s happening with the project?
- For information directly from the Council, sign up for the Future Christchurch email update at HalswellCommunityFacility@ccc.govt.nz. Include "email update" in the subject heading.
Regular project updates will go to key stakeholders including the Halswell Liaison Group, residents groups and the Riccarton/Wigram Community Board. Media releases on key milestones will be sent to local community newspapers.
The Site
- How was the site chosen?
- The choice of a site at 341 Halswell Road, surrounding the Halswell Aquatic Centre, was guided by the consultation findings from the South West Area Plan.
- Was it hard to acquire the land?
- It took time to negotiate the purchase of a piece of land that was essential to the project, but agreement was reached without the Council needing to use the Public Lands Act.
- What is the actual size of the facility?
- The building is almost 3000 m2. This includes 1800 m2 for the library and 1000 m2 for the community facilities.
- Will the choice of this site affect parking at the domain on Saturdays?
- As part of the project we are providing 157 car parks on site. We have chosen a central location that is well serviced by public transport and will also encourage residents to consider walking or cycling as transport options if possible.
- What is happening to the trees on the site?
- Some trees adjacent to the pool are being removed to make space for the facility and its car park. The Council will be planting 122 trees around the new building to replace them, together with substantial low planting in the landscaped areas.
Construction
- When will construction get underway?
- A sod-turning to mark the start of construction was held on Friday 11 July 2014.
- When is it opening?
- It’s expected that the facility will take about 16 months to construct and fit-out, giving the facility a scheduled November 2015 opening.
- How much will it cost to build?
- The total estimated cost is $22.9 million. This includes the land purchase, construction and other fees.
- Will the current pool stay open while construction is underway?
- The main pool and hydroslides will stay open during the summer with temporary changing rooms, toilets, barbeque and staff facilities.
- What will happen to the old library building?
- There are no firm plans at present although future use of the old library building at 381 Halswell Road will be considered by Council in due course.
Construction images from our Flickr set
Features of the facility
- What will be inside the new facility?
- We are still in the final planning stages but so far we have identified the following needs:
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- New pool changing rooms, pool control office and BBQ pavilion.
- Large and small meeting rooms for groups to use, with after hours access.
- Customer services facilities.
- Library materials and resources.
- A youth area.
- A children’s area.
- A comfortable and accessible older persons’ area.
- A Te Ao Māori space.
- A local history area and community information area.
- A content creation area.
- A formal learning area.
- A café (located within the facility).
- I heard that some changes were made to the building’s design in early 2014 to bring it in on budget – what changes were made?
- Most of the changes involved the air conditioning system, the finishes and the landscaping to the pool area. The building’s overall size and layout remain unchanged, and none of the features planned for the facility were lost or compromised in the redesign.
- What is a community facility?
- The community facility is really a one-stop shop that brings together most of the Council’s services under one roof. It will include a reception desk where people can make queries and payments as well as several flexible rooms and meeting spaces for hire.
- Can you tell me more about the community facility’s rooms?
- There will be two large venues catering for up to 300 people with kitchen and function centre facilities plus two medium spaces and many smaller meeting rooms. All spaces will be bookable and available to the public and community groups for extended hours (beyond normal library hours). The main hall or “spine” of the facility will be available for use as an exhibition space.
- What differences will we see to the swimming pool facilities?
- Although this is a library, customer service and community facility project, not a swimming pool project, swimming pool users will experience some improvements:
- The BBQ area will be rebuilt and be available to the public.
- Outdoor area will be landscaped to enhance the enjoyment of swimmers/sunbathers.
- New ancillary facilities will be built, i.e. new men/women’s and family changing rooms, staff office and storage.
- The outdoor pool/toddlers pool and hydroslide will remain the same.
- The opening hours will remain at noon to 7pm weekdays and 11am to 7pm weekends.
- Why aren’t you building a year-round pool?
- This project is a library and customer service facility project, not a pool project. Other areas in Christchurch are in more urgent need of pool projects – for example the eastern suburbs. We also aim to provide a mix of indoor and outdoor pools across different parts of the city, and Halswell pool is one of our key outdoor pools. A review of aquatic facilities in the south-west area is planned in 2017. However, this project brings many benefits to pool users, including new changing rooms, upgraded BBQ areas, better fencing and landscaping around the pool and an onsite café.
- What opening hours will the facility have?
- The opening hours are still being discussed. We expect the library to have extended hours from the present Halswell Library whereas the pool will have similar opening hours to those at present, while the community facility will be open after hours for meetings and events.
Architectural and design features
- Does the building have any green features?
- The building has high natural light levels and passive solar design. It’s super-insulated with advanced heating and cooling systems to exchange heat across hot and cold areas of the building. Water from the roof is being used to irrigate the planting below.
- How will the building and landscaping affect the surrounding area?
- The attractively designed and landscaped building will really improve the “streetscape” or look of the area. It has a large plaza space with seating at the front, which we hope will become a centre for Halswell. New pedestrian access to the domain will also be created.
- Will the building offer any special experiences for people using it?
- The design has slot shapes in the exterior walls, surrounded by glass where lush vegetation will be planted. People sitting up against the windows will experience the feeling of being in an “intimate oasis”.
