Information centre move opposed, library opinion divided — Bulletin survey

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 592, 27 June 1995, Page 3

Information centre move opposed, library opinion divided — Bulletin survey

The Ruapehu District Council proposes to move its information centre and library (both in Clyde Street) and Miro Street service centre to the Moore Street/Clyde Street site (the old Turoa offices). Recently the Bulletin carried out an informal survey to see what Ohakune residents thought about the location of the information centre and the library. All 15 opposed the move of the information centre and thought its present position was perfect. Their comments were: • Tourists wauld not easily find the information centre if it were moved away from the Clyde/Goldfinch Street corner; • Information centres should be in a location where they are easily accessible by both foot and vehicular traffic. One comment was that the information centre required more parking. Seven out of 15 thought the library

should move. The reasons for supporting the move were: • Libraries shouldn't have prime sites; • Locals will go to the library no matter where it is; • There would be the opportunity to further develop library facilities on a bigger site • Parking is more readily available at the ' council site. Eight out of the fifteen thought the library should stay where it is, the main concern being for old people who come especially into town to go shopping and would have to walk two blocks in possibly inclement weather to get to the council building. Overall there was unanimous support for the information centre staying where it is, and opinion was split over the best location for the library.