Te Ara Ātea

Below is a history of the design of the Rolleston library and community centre, now named Te Ara Ātea - a name gifted by Te Taumutu Rūnanga. Visit our libraries page for the latest updates on construction of Te Ara Ātea.

Update August 2018

Design concepts unveiled for new library and community centre

Design concepts for Rolleston’s exciting new library and community centre have now been approved by Selwyn District Council.

Construction of the library and community centre is set to begin in April next year and it is planned to be completed in 2020. The original budget, set at $19.1 million, has increased to $22.2 million. The new budget recognises construction costs with comparable library projects in the Canterbury region. The new budget also leaves room for any additional costs incurred during the building process.

Key features of the library and community centre:

* Adaptable and flexible spaces that can be reconfigured for different uses

* Space for the predicted library collection

* Meeting rooms of various sizes

* Performance space

* Exhibition and display areas

* Research and historical space

* Children’s space

* Arts and crafts activity

* Space for public services

* Staff support areas

* Coffee station/lounge space

* Easy access to the outside environment, town square, reserve and Tennyson St.

What’s coming next..?

The Council will soon seek resource consent for the new building and a detailed design for the facility will be created. A critical part of the town centre project is the redevelopment of the open space in Rolleston Reserve into a vibrant, high-amenity urban park. It is planned to be a destination for locals and visitors, supporting a range of passive recreational activities. These might include features like play and water areas, garden and informal grassed space, sculptural features, areas for public events and gatherings, and landscaping that reflects the township and wider district.

Update March 2018

Your space + your ideas

Rolleston’s exciting new town centre will start to take shape this year – and residents’ ideas are helping to make sure it’s a dynamic, innovative space.

Planning for the new library and community centre – a key project in the town centre – is now under way. As part of the process, late last year we asked residents for ideas and suggestions on how people might want to use the new spaces.

We spoke to people of all ages at libraries, community events, kids markets, bus trips and neighbourhood gatherings. We also ran an online survey and interacted with people on social media to gather feedback. More than 200 people completed the survey and we received over 500 different suggestions and ideas.

The following graphics summarise some of the key feedback and from residents on what they want to see and do in the new library and community centre. People also told us about things they love about libraries, like cultural celebrations, the welcoming environment, places to learn and to connect with people, opportunities to pursue interests and hobbies, and special celebrations like NZ music month and Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.

All the feedback and ideas received have now been passed on to the team managing the design and development of the town centre and the new library and community space – helping to ensure a fun, welcoming and multi-purpose facility.

Expert design team appointed to town centre project

The Council is delighted to have appointed an outstanding team of designers and specialists to bring the concept of a new town centre in Rolleston to life.

Prestigious Christchurch architecture firm Warren and Mahoney is leading a consortium that includes urban designers Boffa Miskell, engineers TMCo, Traffic Design Group, Acoustic Engineering Services and project managers Inovo.

Warren and Mahoney bring a wealth of experience to the project, having been involved in developments such as the Kaipoi Library, Lincoln Library and the new Christchurch City Library, the Selwyn Aquatic Centre, and recent Christchurch projects including the innovative PWC centre and Awly Building and the King Edward Barracks development.

Council property and commercial manager Douglas Marshall says the consortium is a great fit for the town centre development. “The team has a deep understanding of the significance of this project for Selwyn,” he says. “They bring real expertise across the many aspects of this project including retail, library, reserve and community spaces.

“We’re also confident they’ll bring a ‘wow’ factor to the community space and the wider town centre, making it a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.”

Warren and Mahoney Principal Jonathan Coote says the firm is delighted to have been chosen to undertake the project. “As a team we are excited about delivering transformation and a new town centre for Rolleston that is ‘of its place’ and for its people,” he says.

“Having spent valuable time digesting the community engagement outcomes and brief, we are now developing the concept at pace and look forward to sharing this with our project partners and the wider community in the near future.”

What’s coming next ..?

The design team is currently working on initial planning for the library and community centre, as well as the wider town centre development. This includes bulk and location planning – working out where on the site the key facilities and precincts will be located.

A critical part of the town centre project is the redevelopment of the open space in Rolleston Reserve into a vibrant, high-amenity urban park. It is planned to be a destination for locals and visitors, supporting a range of passive recreational activities. These might include features like play and water areas, garden and informal grassed space, sculptural features, areas for public events and gatherings, and landscaping that reflects the township and wider district.

It’s important that the reserve complements the town centre facilities and is welcoming and usable for residents. To help us get the design right, we are looking for community views and we will soon be asking for your ideas and into the planning and design of this space.

Watch for more details over the next few months on proposed concepts for the reserve, and on how you can provide feedback.

About the Rolleston Town Centre Master Plan

A master plan for Rolleston town centre was adopted by the Council in 2014 after an extensive community consultation and planning process.

The plan sets out a vision for a town centre that will be a vibrant and engaging destination for Rolleston, Selwyn Central ward and the wider Selwyn district.

The Library and Community Centre will be the first building developed on the site, located on part of the current Rolleston Reserve, and will set the standard for later elements including:

reserve, open spaces and playgrounds, town square and civic space, indoor/outdoor dining and hospitality, retail and entertainment areas, pedestrian-friendly streets and spaces.

Since the plan was adopted, a number of steps have been completed to progress the development, including roading projects such as the Tennyson/Kidman roundabout, the development of Foster Park, adoption of the Land Use Recovery Plan designating the town centre as a key activity area, and the statutory Reserve Exchange process to enable redevelopment of part of the existing reserve.

Alongside the library and community centre project, the Council is currently undertaking preliminary work to identify opportunities for retail and hospitality areas, and bringing together a design team to oversee the development. Watch for more details in the coming months.

For more information and to view the Master Plan documents: www.selwyn.govt.nz/rollestontowncentre