New Brighton Library’s reopen delayed by two weeks

Chris Lynch
Chris Lynch
Oct 31, 2023 |

Photo: Christchurch City Council

The New Brighton Library’s reopening has been delayed by two weeks.

Initially shutting its doors on 25 September for a revamp that included changes in layout, new carpeting, floor tiles, soft furnishings, LED lights, window enhancements, a fresh coat of paint, and a makeover of the foyer restroom, the library was set to resume operations after seven weeks.

However, the reopening is now rescheduled for Monday, 27 November due to issues detected by the Christchurch City Council with the facility.

Carolyn Robertson, who leads Libraries and Information, commented, “Considering the age and location of the building, the challenges we’ve found are minor and manageable.”

Upon inspection, contractors found slight leaks that require plumbing work and new wall linings, as well as some minor floor slab cracks. A structural engineer has reviewed these. Robertson adds, “These are straightforward repairs, and we’re addressing them now to reduce any future inconvenience.”

While the library undergoes repairs, the nearby Salt on the Pier café remains operational. However, patrons cannot access it through the library’s main foyer.

Throughout the library’s closure, a mobile library will serve the New Brighton community. You can check its schedule online.

For those seeking alternatives, Parklands Library at 46 Queenspark Drive and Aranui Library at 109 Aldershot Street are the closest options.

Chris Lynch
Chris Lynch

Chris Lynch is a journalist, videographer and content producer, broadcasting from his independent news and production company in Christchurch, New Zealand. If you have a news tip or are interested in video content, email [email protected]

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