Mosgiel Taieri Community Board members are not keen for a foyer at the Mosgiel library to be transformed into an Otago Polytechnic-run community learning centre but have supported the polytechnic using an alternative space - the men's staff toilets.
The polytechnic has operated a learning centre in Mosgiel since 2004, offering introductory computer courses and national certificate programmes.
It now leases space in the town's main street but, with Government funding cuts threatening the centre's viability, staff approached the Dunedin City Council about obtaining a rent-free space in or near the library and ensuring the centre remain open.
The foyer of the Downes Room - a small meeting room attached to the library - was identified as a suitable space for the 10 computer stations the centre would require.
However, that idea did not find favour with community board members.
At their meeting yesterday, they said the foyer was an integral part of the meeting room and was needed as a reception area.
The Downes Room was the only small public meeting space in Mosgiel not affiliated to a community organisation or church and it was desirable the room and its foyer and kitchen were retained as public facilities, board chairman Bill Feather said.
However, board members were happy to support an alternative proposal - gutting the library's men's staff toilets and converting them into a space for the community learning centre.
The women's staff toilets would become a unisex facility.
Dunedin library services manager Bernie Hawke, who attended the meeting, said preliminary estimates were the refit might cost $20,000. The board supported the proposal as long as funding was found from existing council budgets so there was no additional burden on ratepayers.
