Inverell Shire Library Redevelopment Wins Local Government Award for Cultural Infrastructure!
Our library has been described by the Cultural Awards as being one of the Town's most prominent public buildings with elegant finishes and the capacity to service the local population well into the future. The redeveloped library building has double the original floor space as well as an outdoor area with seating. The library now features dedicated Children's and Young Adults areas, and public meeting room facilities. Community reactions to the expanded and renovated library have been extremely positive, with both visitors and locals commenting on the high standard of the redevelopment. (Library members have been seen "showing off" the new library to their friends and other family members.) Community groups have taken note of the opportunities offered by the new meeting room space and there are new opportunities for the library to be involved with significant cultural advances inside the community.
The New Inverell Shire Public Library
The Inverell Shire Public Library has been renovated and extended in its Second Stage of Developments. Not only in size but in content with a larger selection of books, cds, dvds, advancements in technology including high speed internet access and up to date computers. The building itself had a huge makeover with a modern feel, has doubled in size and was designed by local architect Tim Russell with the gardens landscaped by the local Inverell Shire Council outdoor garden staff.
With the grand opening held on the 2nd November the $2 Million upgrade really did excite all who attended the official ceremony. Not only was the new building impressive but so was the highly trained staff who had already adapted to their new surroundings and taken full advantage of the new services available for the public.
The Newly Renovated Campbell Park
Council have recently just placed new exercise equipment in the park. Campbell Park is now one of the highlights of Inverell since its renovation completed in 2007. The park now consists of a play equipment area for children of all ages, a scenic path, a classically styled Rotunda and the innovative Outdoor Theatre with all the new features already being used for many events within the Shire. The Outdoor Theatre has most recently been used as the main focus for the 2007 Telstra Country Wide Inverell Sapphire City Festival with the stage being used for all the major presentations for the festival entrants, entertainment, sponsors and the NSW North West heat for the Road to Tamworth singing competition.
The new design for Campbell Park was constructed by the local Inverell Shire Council outdoor gardening staff and is kept in pristine condition. The upgrades on Campbell Park were completed to encourage the use of the park and its surroundings. The park is ideal for children with the newest play equipment and it is perfect for a stroll around on the newly created paths. Another highlight of the park is the Rotunda and it is being used for the Christmas season with live local musicians every Friday night with dusk performances capturing a charasmatic atmosphere blended with the beauty of the gardens in twilight. For more information and the Christmas in the Rotunda program click here.
The Newly Constructed Inverell Visitor Center
Once the local bowling club and greens the new Inverell Visitor Center was constructed in 2003 when the old location became too small. This new design was created by local arcitect Tim Russell and constructed locally including the landscaped gardens. It now features a large photographic display, local gems stones as well as brochures on Inverell the surrounding areas and NSW. It also houses the Riverside Restaurant with spectacular views of the gardens and the Macintyre River. The newest edition to the center is a large display board that highlights for visitors where they can fish, camp, drive or have a picnic. It includes all the national parks and dams. For More information on the Inverell Visitor Center click here.
More recently the Inverell Tourist Centre was featured on the front cover of the 2007 August issue of Perspectives Magazine produced by the Building Designers Association of NSW. This included four articles written by John Bath a gentleman simply passing through the Inverell district and decided to stay overnight and embrace our hospitality. Each article is about Inverell and a big emphasis is on the Visitor Centre and its innovative design the general atmosphere of the town and our attitude towards tourism. Other articles are focused on Blair Athol and its historically displayed accomodation and The Riverside Cafe.
© 2009 Inverell Shire Council
