Date

Tuesday, 20 August 2019

Release

Construction of the new Warilla Library is now 75% complete. The interior fit out is rapidly progressing, with internal walls linings, floorings, services, painting and finishes being installed.

The final phase will see the completion of the building and external works including car parking, footpaths and landscaping.

The library, located within Keith Fletcher Park (behind Warilla Grove Shopping Centre), is a modern, flexible, and welcoming space. Once completed, it will provide a new branch library for the city, replacing the existing Warilla Library located on Lake Entrance Road.

Shellharbour City Council has invested $6M in the library’s construction. It has over 900m2 of indoor and outdoor space, comfortable seating, a technology hub including free Wi-Fi and computer access, meeting and study rooms, dedicated children and youth spaces and good accessibility.

The building’s scale, roofline and the use of a range of natural materials combined with large amounts of glazing provides openness and transparency both externally and internally.

This is achieved by providing a high quality natural finish and the provision of large amounts of natural light and ventilation.

The building wraps around an external courtyard with a timber verandah and concrete seating provides a secure and external alternative for kids play, reading and/or adult reading.

Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba broke ground on the site in October 2018. She described the library’s style as relaxed and informal, reflecting a “community lounge room” as requested by the community in previous consultations.

“Moving to a new site brings the opportunity to provide upgraded facilities and even better services. This is a significant investment in library services for our community,” Cr Saliba said.

“The need for this new facility was identified in the Libraries and Museum Strategy 2024, which was adopted in March 2014.

“Council staff engaged with the community to gain an understanding of what they wanted from this new library and how they wanted to use it,” Cr Saliba said.

“Library services have come a long way in recent years. I remember when I was young, Warilla Library operated out of a garage. 

“If the success of our City Library at the Shellharbour Civic Centre is anything to go by, I expect that this latest addition to our library services will be extremely popular with people of all ages and support lifelong learning.

“The same warm, helpful friendly staff who work in all of Council’s existing libraries will be ready to serve the community at this new facility,” Cr Saliba said.

Council aims to finalise construction and physically move in before the New Year.

The existing Warilla Library on Lake Entrance Road remains operational during the construction.

Media queries: Kelli Wells 0448 361 008.

Last updated : Wed 21 Aug 2019