Ipswich City Council has resolved to award the fit-out contract for Springfield Central Library to South East Queensland firm iQ Construct.
Infrastructure and Emergency Management Committee Chairperson Cr Cheryl Bromage said the six tenderers were of the “highest standard” and the West End-based company was successful in being recommended for the $2.8 million contract.
IQ Construct’s previous projects include fit-out work at the University of Queensland, Queensland Police Service, SEQ shopping centres and Crown Casino, Melbourne.
Council revealed the conceptual design package for Springfield Central Library in November 2017, showing state-of-the-art facilities, with the target of a July 2018 opening.
Cr Bromage said the two-level library on Main Street at the Orion Town Centre (near Coles) would meet community needs.
“Council has identified the strategic need to provide library services in Ipswich’s eastern suburbs and has committed to the provision of a library in Springfield Central,” she said.
“It will offer a new hands-on digital experience that will delight, inform and build the Ipswich communities’ digital literacy while supporting the Smart City initiative. The facilities of the library service will enable members to build their skills, and increase their employment opportunity.”
Cr Bromage said the conceptual package included a welcoming / customer assistance area, ‘market place’ style presentation of popular books, main collection area, maker space, public access computers, express computers, children’s space and parents’ room for level one; and minor collection area, event space, meeting rooms, kitchen space and storage, computer training room, and administration area for level two.
Libraries and Tourism Committee Chairperson Cr David Pahlke said the concept package had been developed in consultation with council’s library management team to ensure that all functional needs had been addressed.
“It will provide Ipswich Libraries’ members a new space to enjoy and a destination where they can relax, learn and grow,” Cr Pahlke said.
