Plans to relocate Point Chevalier Library to an interim location have been held up, with the planned site now no longer available.
Auckland Council has been working hard for several months now to secure a central location for the library service.
Despite reaching agreement for a lease at a Great North Road site, council has been informed that the business leasing the location is currently under negotiation for sale, and no longer available for lease.
Albert-Eden Local Board Chair, Margi Watson, says that this turn of events was as unexpected as it is confounding.
“This is extremely disappointing news and we want to acknowledge how frustrating it will be for Point Chevalier library users, and the board shares that disappointment,” she says.
“The council is working as quickly as possible to try and find an alternative location and will be keeping community up to date on that progress.
“We are committed to maintaining this service in Point Chevalier,” says Chair Watson.
Investigations are urgently underway to uncover further options for an improved interim library service.
The interim relocation aims to provide more capacity for library services, which are currently accommodated at the community centre on Huia Road, while options are being considered by the Albert-Eden Local Board for long-term library services.
“Customers are continuing to use the pop-up library at the community centre in good numbers and we can see others making use of libraries in adjacent neighbourhoods. But it’s clear that the community wants a better service and we’re considering all options to find a location for it” says Kevin Marriott, Auckland Council’s Head of Community Delivery.
“Investigations are continuing, which includes exploring vacant sites within the town centre and the potential to temporarily repurpose existing council facilities,” says Marriott.
“If there’s a retail space in the Point Chevalier town centre coming onto the leasing market that could host the library service – council staff are keen to hear about it.
“We appreciate the Point Chevalier community deserve some good news right now and we’re prioritising the project to get this essential service back on track as soon as possible,” says Marriott.
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