Linwood Service Centre buildings to close

Christchurch City Council will today close buildings at 180 Smith Street associated with the Linwood Service Centre until further notice.

The Council will close the Linwood Service Centre and Library Content Services and Bindery buildings after receiving the results of the first stage of a Detailed Engineering Evaluation (DEE), which shows that the buildings are either earthquake prone or potentially earthquake prone. Engineers have recommended the building should not be occupied.

Further intrusive investigations are required to allow the next stage of a DEE to be completed.

Elected members have agreed to close all Council-owned buildings that are below 34 per cent of the New Building Standard (NBS). A building is considered to be earthquake prone if its seismic capacity is less than 34 per cent of the NBS.

Council Corporate Services General Manager Paul Anderson says that two issues have been identified as the result of the qualitative DEE. Some areas of the buildings’ construction are either less than 34 per cent of the NBS or, are potentially less than 34 per cent.

However, the Linwood Mini Library at the site will remain open as it is in a different building which has also been assessed and found to have an acceptable seismic capacity.

Mr Anderson says that affected Council staff members will be informed today and work is being carried out today to relocate them. The Council is also aware that the closure will cause inconvenience for the local community.

”While it is unfortunate that the buildings have had to close we trust that the local community will appreciate the reasons why, and that further investigations are needed. We hope they will make use of the closest libraries or service centres."

For more information about the Facilities Rebuild Plan project, visit www.ccc.govt.nz/facilitiesrebuild

Alternative libraries include:

The Linwood Mini Library remains open at 180 Smith Street.
Monday to Friday, 9am - 6pm
Saturday, 10am - 4pm

Central Library Peterborough - Te Kete Wānanga o Peterborough
91 Peterborough Street
Monday to Friday, 9am - 6pm
Saturday and Sunday, 10am - 5pm

Find out more at www.christchurchcitylibraries.com/Community/Libraries

Alternative service centres include:

Shirley
36 Marshland Road, Shirley
Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
Saturday, 10am - 1pm

Civic offices
53 Hereford Street
Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 5pm

Find out more at www.ccc.govt.nz/thecouncil/contactus.aspx