Library miss draws fire

Cambridge residents have reacted angrily to news the former Bunnings building and site in Queen Street will become an up-market Ingham car yard.

The News website and Facebook page had record hits following our exclusive story last week.

Sue Milner

Sue Milner

Cambridge Community Board chair Sue Milner questioned whether Waipā District Council was too “Te Awamutu-centric” – a reference to the council’s decision to buy the Bunnings site in Te Awamutu for $2.05 million last year for a museum.

Others were disappointed Waipā District Council missed securing the site for a library while some suggested the site would have been perfect for an indoor sports’ centre with a youth focus.

Greg Renner posted the site could have been a community site with a better multi-purpose library, an indoor sports facility, a proper indoor kids’ playground for hot summers and long wet winters and a building with a covered car park to hold markets etc hours or even the farmers market on rainy days.

“I’m certain there are many many more options,” he said.

But he also acknowledged the community would benefit because Ingham would invest in tradies, provide jobs and once open would support and sponsor local schools, charities and events.

Helen Baggaley posted she was “devastated” at the news. “This was the perfect spot for the library, opposite Te Koo Utu, opposite the Town Hall, I Site, a civic precinct we could all use.”

Zack Dredge wrote on social media it could have been a library “but wasn’t”.

“Don’t be angry that a business decided to set up shop and introduce $$ into the local economy, but perhaps be angry that the local government/council didn’t bother to act sooner?”

Milner said she was annoyed because she and other councillors had actively lobbied the council soon after Bunnings closed in 2020 saying it was the perfect site for a library.

“I just got the impression from them (then) that it was a nice to have but you don’t need one yet.

“Whenever we have a bureaucracy based in one spot, e.g., in Te Awamutu, these things happen. They are very Te Awamutu centric and it’s a shame.”

Milner said she liked the idea of a combined library/museum.

“I’ve seen it in Alexandra, and it works really well.

“What we tend to forget is places like library are community centres. There are things that happen in there that are not just about books.”

Milner said she would be lobbying the council and councillors to find an alternative site for the library.

“I think they should start thinking about a suburban library in Leamington,” she said.

 

 

More Recent News

News in brief

New tournament Cambridge and Central Cambridge bowling clubs have joined forces to run the Cambridge Open next week. The inaugural national event will be held at Central’s greens – next year at Cambridge’s – and…

Investigations continue

The future of Cambridge’s historic water tower could hinge on the results of new foundation testing which started this week. See: Cambridge water tower updates Waipā District Council is drilling and testing a ‘micro-pile’ next…

Three no match for dog unit

Multiple incidents in Cambridge have landed three before the courts after they were no match for a Waikato Police Dog Unit. On Sunday, police were notified of three people unlawfully entering a commercial premises on…

It’s down to specials

10.50am Newly elected Waipā mayor Mike Pettit says he is honoured to have been chosen to lead the district and is ready to get to work on behalf of the community. Pettit is off to…