The Grey District Council can now reveal details of how the new library will operate next year, from its opening hours to staff numbers.

At a meeting on Wednesday, October 1, councillors awarded a substantial contract to Tony Wilkins Builder as the project moves from the base build to the fit-out phase.

With quotes for work still coming in and being assessed, we are not yet able to reveal the final cost of the new library. After today, five further items still require the procurement process to be finalised.

However, the Council is now able to reveal more details of how the new library will operate.

It will be open six days a week, requiring just two additional staff due to the increased floor area – double the size of the existing library, with far more on offer, including a dedicated young adult area.

Total staff numbers will be ten, some of them part-time.

The opening hours will initially be unchanged, including one late night and Saturday morning.

Mayor Tania Gibson said the new library was looking fabulous and would be a great asset for the community.

“Tony Wilkins Builder has been great. Having a local builder and tradies working on it means they have as much care as we do for the project – they are doing a great job.

It’s looking fabulous.”

After the New Year, the focus will shift to the fit-out, with the aim of moving into the new building by Easter.

Development West Coast is a co-funder. Chief Executive Heath Milne said the project goes beyond just bricks and mortar.

“The new library and commercial hub will create a vibrant space that draws people in, encourages commerce, and helps revitalise Greymouth’s CBD.

“It has also attracted significant external investment through Kānoa, showing real confidence in the town’s future. With local contractors playing a major role in the build, the economic benefits are already flowing through to our communities.”

Design Windows West Coast Branch Manager Patrick McBride said Design Windows are proud suppliers to the town's latest investment. The building looks spectacular and could be the start of some exciting riverside projects that will continue to grow our local economy.

This year, the library’s operating expenses make up 2.55% of the total revenue. Next year, they’re expected to rise to 3.24% of the total revenue.

The current library is well-used, with an average of 219 patron visits each day during the year ending June.

The new library will feature bookable meeting and study rooms, which will generate income.

There will also be a flexible room and creative maker spaces for community creative activities, school-holiday and after-school activities.

It will encourage people back into learning spaces, with quiet rooms separated from play areas.

Visitors will find sun-drenched spots to curl up with a book or watch the surf pound the tipheads.

In recent years, libraries have evolved into community centres, with meeting rooms and digital technologies, becoming welcoming environments for people from all walks of life.

The Council will lease out the top-floor café and one of three ground-floor commercial units.

The revenue will help offset library operating costs, and talks are ongoing with potential tenants.

The 2019 Library and Museum Strategy highlighted that the current library was too small for the population it served and could not be extended or built up.