Development of new Waikanae Library enters new phase

Councillors were briefed this week on the next phase of the project to deliver a new or upgraded library and service centre in Waikanae, reports the Kāpiti Coast District Council.

Following Council’s approval of $13.8m in the 2021-41 Long-term plan, a three-stage project is underway to develop and build the facility.

Group Manager People & Partnerships, Janice McDougall said the first step of the project is to confirm the best location for the new library within Mahara Place and the types of functions the new facility will provide.

“Around the world libraries are changing, and we want to ensure our new facility aligns with modern library trends and is set up to cater for future communities.

“We also want to take the chance while we’re developing a major new asset, to look a bit wider and identify how a new facility could affect how the town centre works.

“We’ll investigate ways a new library facility might help improve community wellbeing, enhance the local economy, better connect the township to the train station, and how it might be able to incorporate housing into the town centre.”

A community advisory group will feed into the process, and we’ll engage more widely before finalising recommendations to Council in August.

This stage of the project will result in a framework plan for Waikanae Town Centre, featuring the new or upgraded library and service centre.

Future stages of the project include design and construction. Design will get underway later in 2022 and, all going well, construction will begin in late 2023 or early 2024.

“We have one chance to get this right, so we are running a thorough process to carefully consider all aspects of the new facility and other opportunities it might offer to revitalise Waikanae and the whole Kāpiti District,” said Mrs McDougall.

More information at Future Waikanae library.