Gosford Council has unveiled its latest concept plan for a brand new, eight-level public library building in Gosford’s city centre
Councillors voted in 2015 to move ahead with plans to build a new central library in Mann St, next door to council’s administration building, after the State Library of NSW reviewed nine possible options. The design is a collaborative effort between Gosford Council and leading architects Clare Design and Hill Thalis, about which, Gosford’s mayor, Cr Lawrie McKinna said, is a concept plan that boasts something for everyone.
“There are still plenty of details to work through, but this current concept truly captures our vision of a having a state of the art community hub right in the heart of the Central Coast’s capital,” Cr McKinna said.
“A ground level café and children’s area, three levels dedicated to exhibitions, library collections and an auditorium, as well as four more levels devoted to a smart work hub, seniors’ centre and a university presence, are just some of the concept’s standout features,” he said.
“There’s no doubt we’re on the right track to provide our city centre with a vital cultural focal point and give businesses, residents, commuters, students and visitors a place where they can participate, learn, engage and share information,” he said.
Tenders will now be called for the library’s detailed design before a development application is lodged. Separately, another development application will soon be lodged to demolish the current Council-owned building on the site so that construction of the new library can start as soon as possible after the necessary approvals have been given.
“After years of delay, it’s great to see real work has started on this new library that the community has been waiting for,” Cr McKinna added. “We will be looking for feedback from the community at key steps along the way,” he said.
Along with other available funding, the new city library will be delivered using the $8.1 million raised via a special rate that was introduced over 15 years ago to help provide a new regional library to benefi t Gosford City.
Media Release, Feb 22, 2016 Gosford Council media