A preview on how the new Greerton Library might look was given to the 14 or so people who attended the council community Development Committee meeting at the Greerton RSA this week.
A sketched view of the new library from Greerton Road.
The drawings may not have much to do with how the building itself will eventually look because the design is not yet finalised. Council is still working with the design and build contractor Marra Construction.
Things that will remain the same is the connection the new building will have with village green, and the large area of windows to allow natural light into the building, and clear views from outside into the building.
The new library is expected to be completed by March 2016, with construction beginning in June or July.
Council has applied to the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board for funds to extend the planned 900m2 library by 150m2. A decision on the funding is expected in May 2015.
Local company Marra Construction Limited was awarded the contract in February for the design and build of the new Greerton Library. Council approved $3.45 million funding for a 900m2 building – double the size of the present library – in its Annual Plan 2014/15.
41 comments
Glass houses
Posted on 15-03-2015 15:30 | By YOGI BEAR
Here we go the Rort on ratepayers is about to unfolded. Shocking expensive waste of time and money for a redundant edifice to stupidity. Just all fun and happiness to spend wildly someone else's, in fact everyone else's money.
Bus shelter
Posted on 15-03-2015 17:21 | By YOGI BEAR
Well in a couple of years I guess a couple of councilors maybe will latch on to "Phase two" of the library saga, he realisation that they are redundant, spent force, history in every sense of the words. Then the next project will be "What do we do with the building now?" Well all it will be useful for is a Bus shed, grandiose and extravagant, perfect for any big spending Councixllor edifice to the crazy planners, box tickers and other muffin brains all hibernating who knows where are the little bit of mould scattered them far and wide across the CBD.
Sad as it is...........
Posted on 15-03-2015 20:11 | By groutby
and as a horrendous waste of ratepayer money...can we at least expect it to last a "reasonable" amount of time before we need to rebuild it because it leaks?..can we trust the council building and consenting process?..I think not......
Disagree Yogi
Posted on 15-03-2015 21:15 | By Bill Gibson-Patmore
This community need has been battled and 'won' DEMOCRATICALLY. You've had your say about it in the past, so have I, everyone else did too. Let's not expect our Council to build 'prefab-styled' amenities, come on. If this great City needs anything, it's better civic amenities, purposeful administration, and Citizen's pride. I am proud of our fellow citizens, and proud that some of their varied needs are being properly met! I wish, Yogi, that you'd join me in a pragmatic approach to community cohesion rather than be like some others whose words actually split our communities and social fabric. Hoping.... Bill Gibson-Patmore
Bill Gibson-Patmore
Posted on 15-03-2015 22:45 | By YOGI BEAR
Appreciate the thoughts, however approved already or not does not make something that is stupid any better than stupid and dumb. The reality is that public libraries represent two prime functions these days, internet and related use and free newspapers to read. After that most everything else is redundant already, more information is available by the internet and a lot easier to find, more up to date and more. These simple things are obvious yet $3-4m is wasted, I am expected to pay rates more and more every year to fund these ridiculous decisions.
Is it the best design?
Posted on 16-03-2015 09:15 | By Calm Gully
I feel books will still be used, I hate reading off a screen. But should a building that houses those books have so much glass??? Sun will deteriorate the contents and is it glarey to read inside??? KISS Keep it simple (and smart.)
Calm Gully
Posted on 16-03-2015 09:54 | By YOGI BEAR
Agreed, the sun will destroy the paper based books, but then they replace them ever year anyway because no one is reading them. To fix the sun issue will mean a lot more consultants will be needed, more cost, more bills more rates. So the troughing goes on endlessly.
An expensive place for a chat
Posted on 16-03-2015 10:29 | By Annalist
Anyone else noticed how now that ebooks and the internet are taking the place of libraries in terms of research and reading, the patter is changing as to what a library is. What's the bet it will eventually end up as some sort of ratepayer subsidised cafe? That might be fine but this city is heavily in debt, just in case anyone had forgotten.
Rastus
Posted on 16-03-2015 13:01 | By rastus
There are those among us who realize what a dinosaur our council is proposing. There are literally millions of books available on line including a huge pool of free to read books. I am sure that there are those who are too old/infirm or whatever to get up to speed with the modern age but that is no excuse for councilors not seeing it for what it is - again a politically correct freebie for a very small number of people at the expense of the majority.
@Yogi Bear
Posted on 16-03-2015 14:03 | By morepork
Your position assumes that a library is only about "information". As far as that goes, you are perfectly correct that these needs are better met by the internet. But the role of a library is evolving just as everything else is, partly driven by improved technology and the weaving of the internet into our lives and mobile devices. A library serves as a community meeting space as well as a place for research. Kids can sit and listen to stories being read to them, parents can get to have a chat over coffee, exhibitions and displays can stimulate interest in young and old. Furthermore, in a world that is increasingly noisy and "in-your-face" the library can provide a quiet oasis for reflection and study. It ISN'T such a stupid idea if you look at the bigger picture.
What is a library?
Posted on 17-03-2015 10:44 | By YOGI BEAR
Somewhere to store hard copy books that are then available to the public to read, research etc. What has actually happened is that this has evolved into: - interest café, coffee time, read newspapers and social gatherings. The place of a library has well and truly changed, therefore a glass box with thousands, nay tens of thousands of books in it is a dinosaur. The supporters are indeed only those few holding onto a coffee cup, that has nothing to do with having a library. An internet café with newspapers and a coffee machine would serve as well and a whole lot less cost.
take out
Posted on 17-03-2015 16:43 | By YOGI BEAR
the coffee shops, newspaper stands and internet café, lets provide all that for free, typical Council carry on here.
"Library" use?
Posted on 18-03-2015 14:42 | By YOGI BEAR
Is next to nothing, you could have a tin shed half way to Rotorua and the traffic flow would not be any different. You put in free internet and free newspapers and free coffee then people turn up and flock into the place. That is no reflection of "Library usage". Although Council staff you have you believe so as they all eish to keep the jobs and pay that they have been ratcheting up fro years.
Not Needed!
Posted on 19-03-2015 08:26 | By Mackka
There are a hell of a lot of things that should be done with the dwindling 'trough' instead of building a glass edifice which will no doubt ruin the contents from 'sun strike'! They will renovate in a very short time to keep the sun out! Why do we have council elections when the staff run the place? Do we need councillors at all? We elected supposedly intelligent people to run the city for us - I wonder how much input they actually have in this never ending string of stupid decisions?
Dinosaurs
Posted on 19-03-2015 12:45 | By YOGI BEAR
It is about time that Councillors made the real decisions required rather than messing around more focused on keeping votes of a handful of vague users happy. It is not right that all pay massive amounts annually to keep but a few in a grandiose job of their liking
Fanciful design
Posted on 19-03-2015 15:54 | By YOGI BEAR
Looks to me as a classic case of complete indulgence with someone else's money. The cost of this will blow out like every little scheme, thought and idea TCC have.
Yogi Bear should visit
Posted on 20-03-2015 10:31 | By robin bell
the current Greerton library, on any given day there is a steady stream of users. He seems to think that paying rates gives him the right to rubbish every council initiative.WRONG!!! Rates are the price he pays for the PRIVILEGE of living among more tolerant and educated ( via the Library) people of this city. Robin Bell.
A tunnel?
Posted on 20-03-2015 10:38 | By YOGI BEAR
On the left, looks like it, perhaps it is the view or angle? Maybe it is just a way to make sure all the ratepayers money is spent.
Macca and the bear,
Posted on 20-03-2015 11:49 | By robin bell
have clearly never heard of tinted glass. Breaks the ultra violets you see. Go T.C.C. WE WILL HAVE A MODERN CITY,not the cheap dump these bozzo's want. If you run out of money, put the rates up a little, these jokers can afford it.Just heard Tauranga is BOOMING. Robin Bell.
Looks like a glass lunchbox
Posted on 20-03-2015 11:51 | By ROCCO
Nothing wrong with the existing library and this is just an obscene indulgence.Huge footprint of 900m2 for $3.5m is excessive in size and cost and now the TCC bozos want to add another 150m2 so go grovelling to Lotteries Board for the extra dosh.Design and build option with a preferred contractor where did tender process and firm contracts go too- its wrong non transparent and lacks any accountability for what will be spent on this dinosaur aberration.
Lotteries?
Posted on 20-03-2015 16:29 | By YOGI BEAR
make it bigger and hope paid for from charity. That does not pay the additional costs every year of running the place, more staff, more power, more repairs ... what about that?
Tinted Galss
Posted on 21-03-2015 22:04 | By YOGI BEAR
Yes Robin, you could say that, but I know of it, I see it here every day, but actually the better description is "Rise Tinted Glasses" and guess who is wearing them?
The whole thing
Posted on 21-03-2015 22:32 | By YOGI BEAR
The COuncil scheming seems to be about one thing, how to spend yet more money that is not there, find any mug to pay except themselves and sadly they have it, ratepayers, ratepayers and ratepayers ...
Rose tinted specticals
Posted on 23-03-2015 21:44 | By YOGI BEAR
Like that has changed, here are a few things to think about Robin. Tinting fades, tinting costs, books will be yellow on one side and pristine whit the other for the year that the sit on the shelf going no where, In less than 10 years Libraries will be history, if you take out the coffee drinkers, free paper readers and the internet users, there would be virtually no one left except the odd sleepy toady resting in the corner. So there you have it, a library with all the worts and all. So what are ratepayers being stung for here? An internet café with free coffee and newspapers, what a price, what an overkill it is.
BLANK SHEET BLANK CHEQUE TCC IDIOCY
Posted on 24-03-2015 20:36 | By ROCCO
We are going from a functional 900m2 working library cum community centre to a state of the art glass architectural wonder @ increased size of 1100m2 and that folks is why it is costing $4000 a m2 to build.No tender no contract no limits but all eggs in one basket with a preferred contractor to design and build .
The self appointed,
Posted on 25-03-2015 10:55 | By robin bell
self opinionated guardians of the public purse yogi bear and the bully rocco,should stop and think before venting their selfish anger. T.C.C has a statutory role to cater to all rate payers. Representatives are voted for by all citizens. A progressive city demands quality, tin sheds and bear pits just don't crack it. T.C.C should be supported in its Greerton initiatives, not constantly criticised, Remember the boy who cried wolf too many times. Robin Bell.
Cater to all ratepayers?
Posted on 25-03-2015 15:27 | By YOGI BEAR
Well Robin I am amazed that you have written that, how can that be? In all your rantings here it has always been about everyone else has to pay for your whims and desires. To make that clear, the majority pay for what the very minority want. have you changed your pills lately?
THEY WALK AMONGST US AND VOTE AND BREED
Posted on 25-03-2015 16:54 | By ROCCO
When I want ding dong Bells opinion on any financial topic he might have a vague clue about (if any)I will pull his chain or should that read bell ropes. Until then he should butt out and stick with his discredited myths and legends garbage on the local poplace.
ROCCO
Posted on 25-03-2015 21:36 | By YOGI BEAR
Scary isn't it.
Rocco,
Posted on 26-03-2015 08:00 | By robin bell
like all ignorant bullies seems to think it's ALL about what he wants. Sorry wocco like it or not you will get my opinion,you will also get a new library in Greerton. Keep up the insults,seems its the ONLY thing your good at. Robin Bell.
ROCCO, AND BREED
Posted on 26-03-2015 22:07 | By YOGI BEAR
yes I can see the problem there indeed ROCCO, it is a seriously big problem. Looking at Robin's last comment below, the concerns would seem to be unraveling.
Yogi Bear,
Posted on 27-03-2015 08:07 | By robin bell
still believes he speaks for the majority.Delusion in motion,arrogance in action,stupidity in (boring)sequence. Robin Bell.
Look in the mirror
Posted on 27-03-2015 09:31 | By YOGI BEAR
The standard situation is that this does not happen, normally the squealers are the ones doing the bullying, normally by getting off topic, making personal criticisms, insults and so on. All unsavoury behavior at best. Sadly when the someone pushes the barrow of a lost cause deviation from the facts is inevitable, predictable and expected considering the caliber involved.
TCC is mad!
Posted on 03-04-2015 15:11 | By MissMel
So the council is trying to 'sell us the idea' of selling the bit of land in the Mt and closing the Mt library in order to pay down the debt then they go on to build a new library and spend more money? Utter madness.
Mismel
Posted on 04-04-2015 16:47 | By YOGI BEAR
Yes indeed they are, of course the subject lovers can see the wood for the trees and likely never will such is the limitations. There is merit in the sale and it is perhaps one of many bits of surplus land that need to be sold, many will moan and each and every turn, but none shall pay more for it remaining. That answer proves the result desired here. Councillors will always fold to a handful of loud hecklers merit or not.
He speaks for the majority
Posted on 09-04-2015 21:01 | By YOGI BEAR
Looks to me on this page and others, that the vast majority seem to be expressing a view all by themselves, I am merely doing the same. You and you few separatist mates need to go back for retraining, your views seem to be mirroring Hitler and his distain for the irrelevant majority, as I recall he came to a stick end too.
Useless pictures of what the library won't look like.
Posted on 12-04-2015 11:49 | By Darren
I'm a teacher and I often take children to Greerton Library twice a week. I also happen to be an A+ certified computer technician but I don't see books disappearing any time soon. But what is the point of showing us a picture when the design hasn't been finalised? I'd rather seen a drawing of how the library is going to affect the surrounding spaces such as the village square.
Darren
Posted on 13-04-2015 12:55 | By YOGI BEAR
Agree completely on the plans and effects, however it will not matter what anyone else thinks some official buried in the back of the place will decide all and ignore any good comments about anything. As for e-books, could I recommend you look at a computer and have a look online. E-books have been available for many years and there are millions available. A library is a warehouse for books, paid for by ratepayers at a huge cost, it is effectively a half way house between the printers warehouse and the tip.
Darren,
Posted on 13-04-2015 16:17 | By robin bell
agree completely on the use of, and the need for a library. There are those who prefer E. books but as you know they are limited from an educational point of view. YOGI BEAR is unaware of such limitations and therefore limited to his dogmatic opinions. Keep up the good work Darren. Robin Bell.
Darren
Posted on 14-04-2015 10:57 | By YOGI BEAR
Schools often have libraries and the content is related to the students/subjects etc, it looks to me that you are just looking to kill some time and get out of the class room for a few hours. That is not a justification for ratepayers having a $10m bill pa added to the annual rates each and every year.
YOGI BEAR is UNAWARE,
Posted on 14-04-2015 13:57 | By robin bell
the popularity of libraries is increasing rather than declining. Various reasons including population increase,digital overload,recession etc. A recent poll in the U.K. found 67% had visited a library in the last two yrs. The most popular book in Tauranga last year was YOGI BEARS Bumper fun Book, a real hoot for six yr olds. Robin Bell.
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