Mayor Garry Moore will officially open the new South Christchurch Library and Service Centre, on the corner of Hunter Terrace and Colombo Street, at 10am on Saturday, 23 August.

Everyone in South Christchurch is invited to attend the event, and celebrate and explore one of the most exciting Christchurch public buildings to have been constructed in recent years.

Councillors, local MPs, community representatives and those involved in the building project will also be part of the day’s activities, which will include tours of the complex, entertainment and a chance to sit back and soak up the atmosphere in this purpose-built community facility. The South Learning Centre that is also part of the complex will be officially opened next month.

Construction of the $4.5 million Warren and Mahoney designed building began in September 2002 and will be completed by Mainzeal Property and Construction this month.

It will benefit 45,000 South Christchurch residents, providing a modern library, Council Service Centre, meeting rooms, a Learning Centre and the first café to be included in a South Island public library.

The site by the Heathcote River was formerly occupied by the Beckenham Service Centre, which was demolished to make way for the new building. Staff have been temporarily located at 148 Colombo Street.

Sustainability, a key theme of the complex, was requested by the community during the City Council's consultation about the building. Among its special features is a moat that cools air circulating through windows as wellas creating island-like patio decks for readers to use in fine weather.