Andrew Williams

A $9.3 million facility will be officially opened this morning (Saturday 13 March) by His Worship the Mayor of North Shore City Andrew Williams.

The state-of-the-art Birkenhead Library and Civic Centre has been more than five years in the making and is one of the most significant projects to be unveiled in North Shore City in recent history.

With 180 degree views across Rangitoto Island and the Waitemata Harbour, the centre - designed by architects Archoffice - is visually unique amongst other buildings of its kind.

Mayor Williams says the facility brings together a range of community services under one roof and is built to some of the highest standards of environmental sustainability.

The building encompasses the local Plunket office, Citizens Advice Bureau, meeting rooms and some civic services, together with the collection of more than 50,000 library books.

It is expected to achieve a Five Star + Green Star rating - the New Zealand Green Building Council's rating system for environmental performance of New Zealand buildings.

The newly landscaped Nell Fisher Reserve, on which the library is located, and renovated Category 1 Birkenhead War Memorial will also be announced officially open at the ceremony - which will take place on site at 11.30am.

Hundreds of community members, local politicians, project officers and special guests are expected to gather for the occasion and a day of family entertainment to mark the milestone in North Shore City's history.

Nell Fisher Reserve and Birkenhead Library and Civic Centre are located on the corner of Rawene Road and Hinemoa Street in Birkenhead.