Update #5: Parking and Landscaping
As work continues on the new building, we've turned our attention to the important question of parking and pedestrian access. The new library and community centre allow us to create a pedestrian-friendly environment with outdoor seating and lighting.
We are proposing initiatives to reduce the amount and speed of vehicles in this area. However, we know from the feedback we received during consultation on this project that ease and parking availability are a priority for many residents.
To make it safer to back out of the angle parks, we will narrow the traffic lanes slightly, improving manoeuvring space.
As well as making this area more user-friendly, we are looking at increasing the number of parks within easy walking distance of the building.
There will also be two parks marked for disabled permit holders and mobility scooter parking near the library’s entrance.
Adding to traffic and pedestrian safety will be a raised crossing area near the library entrance, linking Ardwick Street’s west and east sides. We will have angle parking in Ardwick Street directly outside the building to ensure we meet your expectations. These parks will have a 60-minute time restriction.
You can check out our visual in our new brochure available here.
Update #4: Redevelopment Going Well
The building work on the old James Cumming Wing is progressing as planned, and is expected to be completed by late 2022.
Much of the original interior has been demolished to make way for new internal structures to support the new open layout.
The original main access to the James Cumming Wing will be the Library entrance. Access to the first floor will be via a new internal open staircase and a lift. The end closest to the Senior Citizens will be the James Cumming Community Centre.
The site is managed by Signal Management staff and is closed to the public for obvious safety reasons, but some progress can be viewed from Ardwick Street.
There have been some materials delays to work around, but this is a nationwide situation affecting the building industry, and unavoidable.
Update #3 Tender Awarded for Redevelopment
JC Builders 2020 (formerly Jones and Cooper Builders) has been awarded the main contract to build the new library and community centre.
The company is one of seven Gore businesses awarded over $2.1 million in work associated with the project. Subject to gaining building consent, work was expected to start early next month.
The project sees the transformation of the former James Cumming Wing hall and function rooms into a modern library and community space. The total cost is $7.935 million, a 16.3%increase from projected costs formulated almost a year ago.
For the full story go to our News Feed
Update #2 Redevelopment Work Starts
After months of planning, preliminary work is about to begin on the redevelopment of the James Cumming Wing into a new library and community centre.
Scaffolding will start going up in the next couple of weeks as contractors prepare to remove asbestos from the exterior. About 12 trees and other vegetation around the building have to be pruned or removed to make room for the scaffolding.
For the full story go to our News Feed
Update #1 Gore Library on the Move
The Gore Library will be relocating to the Encounter New Life Church, in Jacob Street (off Hokonui Drive) in April to allow work to start on the new library and community spaces at the James Cumming Wing.
It will close on Friday 16 April and reopen in Jacob Street on Thursday 6 May.
For the full story go to our News Feed
Where it all started
Here's the back story to this exciting project.
We are redeveloping both levels of the James Cumming Wing, including the hall, to make a new home for the Gore Library and new community spaces.
The project involves gutting the interior of the building and creating contemporary, appealing spaces fit for current and future needs. These spaces will not only accommodate our extensive book collection, but also feature community areas for meetings and activities.
The James Cumming Wing and old library have faithfully served our District for almost 50 years. We now have the opportunity to design and build a solution inclusive and easily accessible for everyone.
Get Involved
Last year we asked for your ideas about what you would like to see in the redeveloped library and community hub. This feedback has influenced the draft designs.
Just go to the tab below to see the ideas, comments and photos we received.
We also held community conversation workshops in August. There was opportunity for further community feedback before the design was finalised.
Location
The reason the James Cumming Wing was chosen for the new library, instead of the former site in the heritage precinct, is the amount of space and its central location. The old library was only 760sqm, whereas the total area of the Wing (ground floor and first floor) is 1,700sqm.
The old library would also need a significant amount of money spent on a new roof.
Funding
Our funding partners for this project are:
- $3 million Government 'Shovel Ready' project funding
- $958,000 Mataura Valley Milk development contribution
The Council has also set aside $1.1 million in its 10-Year-Plan to re-roof the library. This money may be redirected to this project.
We expect construction work to begin in early 2021 and finish the following year.
For more information, please read our Frequently Asked Questions.
