Community ideas sought for library hub concept

August 11th, 2014

Vision Motueka is asking Motueka residents for ideas on what facilities and design ideas they would like included in any library-based community and visitor hub that may be built in Decks Reserve.

A public meeting, to be held next week on Thursday night, will allow anyone with constructive ideas about the makeup of an inviting but practical hub complex to make their views known.

Following Tasman District Council's decision not to make any further significant upgrades to the existing library beside Memorial Park, local councillors and residents have been looking at starting afresh with a community hub that could be built on Wallace Street, beside the present i-SITE.

The idea has strong backing, as long as such a project would be planned and funded by a partnership between the Council and the Motueka community, currently represented by Vision Motueka which put forward a detailed hub proposal in March 2013.

TDC is currently deciding whether or not to re-instate a working party to design and plan the essence of a hub that would be based on a library and a relocated Council service centre.

Ward councillors are known to support such an idea, especially if there is more community input and responsibility for the long-term vision.

Mayor Richard Kempthorne told the July meeting of the Motueka Community Board that he would support further exploratory planning for a new hub, to be part of Council's upcoming Long Term Plan, as long as the community helps with the funding. (See our earlier story)

Vision Motueka chairman David Armstrong says that if the idea is approved in principle by Council and the working party is set up, it is vital that community ideas about the purpose and function of the hub be known as early in the process as possible.

"That's why Vision Motueka has decided to host this community forum to hear those ideas, so we can bring those to the table at the working party.

"That way, we can provide a clear vision of what the community would like to see. So it's important that we sort out aspirational ideas that may be impractical or too expensive, from practical ones that would make the hub a place that residents would use and be proud of, and could afford."

Most people would like to see practical concepts on paper before making up their own minds about a community hub.

About two years ago Vision Motueka held a public meeting at the Top 10 Holiday Park conference room, getting initial ideas about what a hub could include. (See our earlier story)

"We got lots of agreement on some things, such as a tourist information centre and shaded outdoor and wet-weather areas for children to play, as well as some very funny but probably impractical concepts.

"At this meeting next week we'll start with the library, service centre and meeting room and see what else should really be there and in what order of priority."

It is unlikely that the hub concept would be completed quickly, but if planned well it could be put together in stages over 10 years or so.

The public meeting on August 21st will be at Community House, Decks Reserve, starting at 7.15pm. David adds that the meeting will not be about debating whether or not a hub should be built, but about what kind of hub the community would like.

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