The Waikanae Library and the Mahara Gallery have plans to upgrade their respective facilities.  As the two buildings are adjacent to each other there is potential for shared use of common facilities between the Library and Gallery, and closer operational working which could reduce costs and enable more efficient use of available space.  The two individual projects are therefore being considered as a single development.

This combined project is one phase of a programme that aims to:

• maintain the Field Collection in Kapiti, at the Mahara Gallery;
• transform the Mahara Gallery so that it can be recognised as the District Art Gallery, providing the ability to provide a high quality environment to museum quality standards for the storage and exhibition of artworks, including the Field Collection;
• upgrade the Waikanae Library to meet the future needs of the Waikanae community, and maximise its value within that community; and enhance Mahara Place's northern entrance.

In November 2010 the Council has issued a request for proposals for concept designs.  The objective of this contract is to develop a concept design for the upgrade of the Waikanae Library and Mahara Gallery that can be agreed by the Council, the Waikanae Community Board, the Mahara Gallery Trustees and the Field Collection Trust. 

Combined Facility

The ideal design would be one in which the two activities (Library and Gallery) fully complemented each other, and would provide a unique experience to both residents and visitors. 

The operational management of the Gallery and Library should be optimised, with the Gallery providing high quality exhibition and storage spaces and the Library sufficient facilities for the developing Waikanae area. The two operations would most likely share some facilities to make best use of available space and maximise what can be delivered within the project budget.

Funding

The Waikanae Library Upgrade is to be funded by the Council and the Mahara Gallery Upgrade from funds raised by the Mahara Gallery Trust.