Big decision 7: Future of the Leeston Library and Community Centre
Consultation has concluded
In our last Long-Term Plan (2018–2028) we proposed developing a new community centre at Leeston, which currently does not have a purpose-built community facility. This was scheduled for 2025/26. However, in 2019, an assessment of the current Leeston Library/Service Centre building, which also houses the medical centre, showed it was earthquake-prone.
Following consultation on the Annual Plan 2020/21, we have considered community views on the type of facility required. We are now proposing to build a combined community centre, library and service centre facility on Leeston Park. The library/service centre space would be around 600 square metres with adjacent community spaces, and would be built in 2022/23.
A new medical centre would be built as a standalone building.The medical centre would be developed as a commercial investment, with cost recovery of the construction and operating expenses from a lease agreement, and no impact on rates .
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Build a new combined Leeston Library/Service Centre and Community Centre on Leeston Park
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This is our preferred option. While it's the more expensive option it provides for a community centre which Leeston currently doesn’t have. A new facility also received strong community support during the last Long-Term Plan consultation.
As the existing Leeston Library building and medical centre is assessed as earthquake prone, subject to weather tightness issues and requiring a large capital investment, we believe the best option is to provide a combined facility. This would be more efficient in terms of both capital and operating costs. The Council has explored other options including re-purposing the Leeston Rugby Football Club building for community use, but this proved to be too expensive.
A needs assessment study also confirmed that Leeston Park was the preferred site for a new community facility to be developed. This site is central, is already a community focal point, and provides a strong presence close to the main street and business area. The Council has acquired land next to Leeston Park, near the RSA building, which could be used for the new facility.
The library/service centre space would be around 600 square metres with adjacent community spaces, and would be built in 2022/23.
Cost
$8.9 million funded mainly from borrowing, and part from development contributions (subject to the building being sited on the park). Plus ongoing operating and maintenance costs for the new facility.
Impact on rates
The cost of the new facility has a rate impact equal to $10 per year, which is already provided for within the budgeted Community Centres Targeted Rate; and $9 per year, which is also already provided for within the budgeted Libraries Targeted Rate. This assumes the debt is repaid over 25 years.
Impact on debt
We would need to borrow an extra $8.4 million. This would be repaid by the Community Centres and Libraries Targeted Rates.
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Upgrade the existing library/service centre building in 2022/23
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This option would rectify weather tightness and building code issues on existing library/medical centre but it would not provide any additional community space.
Cost
$2.6 million funded from borrowing. However, there’s a risk of incurring further costs once work begins, as a result of long-term water tightness issues.
Impact on rates
The cost of the upgraded building has a rate impact equal to $5 per year within the Libraries Targeted Rate and assumes the debt is repaid over 25 years.
Impact on debt
We would need to borrow an extra $2.6 million. This would be repaid by the Libraries Targeted Rate.
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Defer the project to outside the 10-year plan
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Cost
Some maintenance and renewal costs will be required to ensure the building remains operational including roof replacement. This work is estimated to cost $500,000.
Impact on rates
The Community Centres Targeted Rate will reduce by $10 per year and the Libraries rate by $7 per year compared with our forecast rate levels.
Impact on debt
No impact
