Former elected councillors and former senior council staff had a chance last week to tour the new library and civic building, Te Whare Whakatere, a project commissioned in their time.

The group included former Mayor Donna Favel and Brian Lester, who was chief executive from 2001 until 2013.

The 16 former councillors and nine of the current elected members visited Hine Paaka, the council chamber, and the new councillors’ lounge, then had a guided tour of the building’s ground floor and library, and Level 2, where the majority of council staff work.

The building opened fully to the public on 29 January this year and an official opening is being planned.

Mayor Neil Brown said Prime Minister Chris Luxon had been invited to do the honours but Council was still waiting for a response.

“We’re planning a formal event and hope to be in a position to announce details soon. But it’s safe to say that Te Whare Whakatere has lived up to our expectations so far, and been embraced by the community and staff.”

The need for a new library and civic centre was first signalled to the community in 2004 and background scoping work began in 2013. A site was finally decided in 2016 and then during consultation about the form of the building, residents supported a facility that would comfortably cater for future generations.

Building started in early 2021, with Naylor Love Canterbury carrying out construction.

Donna Favel was the mayor when Council chose the final site and design in 2016.

She said while there had been calls to “build a barn with the bare minimum”, Councillors had robustly debated the issue and agreed to create a civic building that the community could be proud of.

“I am very proud to see the completed building, delivered to the modern, high-quality standard we envisioned and one which will provide Council services for this and future generations.”

She said it was exciting to see the building being well used by the community, “as we had predicted and hoped”, and it had played a role in revitalising the town’s central business area.

“Council staff and visitors to Te Whare Whakatere can wander into the CBD and become more frequent consumers of their services and products, while conversely CBD businesses, staff and clients have easier access to and more frequent visits to the new library and civic centre.”

Former CE Brian Lester said there were a lot of discussions about a new civic building during his tenure.

He said various options and alternatives were talked about, including extending the Baring Square West building.

“But the existing building had its inherent problems and we also needed to build an Emergency Operations Centre that that was up to earthquake code and could operate for the community when needed.

“I think this new building, with its technology and space for the community, is first class.”