An official opening of Ashburton’s new Library and Civic Centre will take place in September – nine months after it opened to the public.

Te Whare Whakatere will have an official opening at 2pm on September 27 with Rangitata MP James Meager officiating on behalf of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.

The building opened to the public in January.

The council had been coordinating with the Prime Minister’s office over dates, but Christopher Luxon's recent visit to Ashburton clashed with council's recess in July.

As Luxon is not due back in the town, and with an opening needing to occur this year, Meager is stepping up to cut the ribbon.

“It’s always a challenge to align schedules of mayors, councillors and prime ministers, but I’m happy to help open Te Whare Whakatere on behalf of the Government,” Meager said.

“The old library was well passed its used-by date, and the new space is bright, open and accessible for users of all ages and stages.

“Anybody who had visited the old council buildings would have seen that it too was well passed its useful life."

Initially budgeted at $56.7m, before its completion the council had signalled an overrun in the region of 10%. The final cost is yet to be announced.

Mayor Neil Brown believes the new building is living up to its expectations as the civic and community heart of the district.

“It will be special to make the time to really thank everyone for the roles they played in this building coming to life”.

Other guests at the opening include local iwi, local and central government officials, and  businesses and groups involved with the building project.

A plaque will be unveiled and time capsule installed during the opening.

Coverage of the opening will be the final addition to the time capsule before it is sealed in place.

It will sit behind a section of tinted glass at a low height along the Havelock Street entrance ramp and await being opened in 2078 to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the Ashburton County Council.

By Jonathan Leask