Sealing a time capsule filled with images, papers, digital records and other small items about Ashburton will be a milestone moment for the new civic and library, Te Whare Whakatere.

Photographs and news items from Friday’s official opening will be the last documents added to the time capsule, which will then be sealed and installed behind glass on the ground floor of the building.

Mayor Neil Brown said the official opening was important, even though Te Whare Whakatere had been operational since the start of the year.

“This building has changed how our community interacts with Council, and the library has become a hub for all sorts of learning, across a huge range of people. It’s exceeded our expectations of a civic building.

“It is intended that the time capsule be opened in 2078, which will acknowledge 200 years since the formation of both the Ashburton County in 1876 and Ashburton Borough in 1878.”

All the items in the capsule are contained in archive-safe boxes. The documents and photos are printed on special acid-free archival paper, and seed samples are sealed in mini PVC pipe-style capsules.

All the boxes will be fitted into a stainless steel container, that will be placed into a custom wooden box that will be visible behind glass after it is installed near the Havelock Street entrance.

Mayor Brown said the time capsule held a huge amount of information.

“It will be interesting for those opening it in 55 years to see samples of crops we are growing now, and memorabilia, and photos.

“There will also be plans, street maps and data about the Ashburton district, plus words from the campaign we did asking people what they liked best about living here.”

For the official opening on Friday, a ceremony will be held in front of the building at 2pm with invited guests including Rangitata MP James Meager, and former mayors, councillors and senior staff, many involved in the early planning of Te Whare Whakatere.
The Mt Hutt College Choir will perform and then after speeches by Mr Meager and Mayor Brown, the official party will be piped into the building by Colin Banks from the Ashburton Pipe Band. The party will pass by a new plaque at the front doors, then through the library and past the time capsule space where everyone can view the contents before it is sealed.

Members of the public are welcome to attend. Counters at the Library and Customer Services will be closed from 2-2.30pm.