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An artist’s impression of the rebuilt library. The work could cost more than $1.7m more than anticipated.
The estimated cost of rebuilding Ōrewa Library has blown out by more than $1.7 million ($1,710,704) and the work could take three months longer than anticipated, the local board was told at a recent workshop.
The library, in Moana Ave, is almost 30 years old, has a leaking roof and cramped spaces that are no longer considered fit for purpose. Auckland Council estimated that upgrading the library, including adding a mezzanine floor, would cost the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board around $3.7m ($3,708,096).
However, members were told at a workshop on March 12 that with tenders now in, the cost would actually be $5,418,800. Big ticket items are $3.9m for the physical work, $310,000 for design consultancy services, $150,000 for furniture and equipment, and a contingency of $706,800. If the contingency is not required, it will be returned to the local board.
Local board members are “horrified” about the cost explosion and have asked questions about the tender process.
However, members believe that the importance of the project meant that the money had to be found.
That will mean delaying other local projects, but not cancelling any of them, chair Gary Brown says.
“It was hard to take, but we had no choice,” he says. “The reality is that costs have gone up even in the year since the process [of renewing the library] began.”
Council’s parks and community facilities area operations manager, Sandra May, agrees that the work is essential. She says that the estimate is based on original concept designs and more recent design work contributed to the cost increase.
“It is not unusual for the funding requirement to change as a project progresses and detailed design is completed,” May says. “In the case of Ōrewa Library, elements that have impacted on the funding estimates since last year include the cost of detailed design, fluctuating exchange rates, market tension, and inflation.”
Final approval for this project, including the additional cost, will be considered at the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board’s business meeting on April 23.
If approved, work is expected to start in May at the earliest. The library will be closed for around one year (it was earlier estimated to be nine months) with its services and resources relocated to Ōrewa Community Centre.
