New Motueka Library project squeaks under budget

A completion report for the new Motueka library shows that total expenditure on the project was just over $4.92 million — slightly less than the total budget of nearly $4.98 million.

The new library – Te Noninga Kumu – was opened to the public on March 19† At 1,100 square feet, the new building on Decks Reserve, across from Wallace St, is more than twice the size of the former library on Pah St.

That March opening was the culmination of a Tasman District Council project that formally kicked off with the appointment of a project manager in November 2018.

Initially, the municipality considered expanding the existing library, but after examining alternative options and a feasibility study, the Decks Reserve location was selected for new construction.

READ MORE:
† New $5 Million Motueka Library Opens Doors To A Much Larger Interior Full Of Art
† Two senior managers leave Tasman District Council
† Motueka Library build attracts $500,000 in external funding

The new library was delivered under a design-build model. Coman Construction and JTB Architects have been awarded the contract and construction started in November 2020.

A completion report for the library project was presented to the council’s operating committee by librarian manager Glennis Coote and project manager Adam Henderson. That report showed that the design-build budget from the early stages was set at $3,755 million — a total considered “ambitious.”

“The Motueka Library was completed within budget,” according to the completion report. “However, additional subsidy money was received, but additional functions were also added.”

Some of those additional features pushed the building beyond the minimum building code and compliance requirements, particularly with regard to sustainability, such as using a construction that is nearly 100% renewable wood, as opposed to steel or concrete, which both have a high footprint of greenhouse gas emissions.

Successful grant applications for $500,000 provided funding for those ambitious design, sustainability and cultural features.

“The price-quality ratio for the municipality is very high for this project,” says the completion report. “In part, this is due to timing.”

The construction industry faced “unprecedented delays” in material supplies and escalation in prices.

“Fortunately, the Motueka library building program was slightly ahead of most of the impact of these delays and cost increases,” the report said. “This project has illustrated the importance of a thorough review of project budgets just before commencement.”

Motueka ward councilor David Ogilvie especially thanked Henderson, Coote, and service and strategy group manager Susan Edwards for their work on the library project.

Edwards, who started working for the council in March 2008, has quit her job to travel†

At a strategy and policy committee meeting on Thursday, Chairman Kit Maling outlined some of Edwards’ key projects during her time on the council, including the new Motueka Library, along with the construction of Saxton Velodrome and the Golden Bay Rec Park Centre. Edwards was also tasked with overseeing reserve management planning and the joint Saxton Field Reserve Management Plan with Nelson City Council, and was also responsible for the development of long-term plans and associated activity management plans.

“During my nine years on the board, Susan was always available to advise on very difficult and complex decisions,” said Maling. “Her knowledge of the Local Government Act and the precedents in this area has been invaluable to the City Council.”