RATHMINES Community Hall could reopen in June next year if plans for a $1 million redevelopment of the venue are approved, as expected.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Lake Macquarie City Council this week lodged a development application for the works.
The council’s plan is to transform the former RAAF hall into a “state-of-the-art community, cultural and performing arts centre”.
Mayor Kay Fraser said the refurbishment would see the creation of a significant facility for the Westlakes area.
“The redevelopment of the venue includes installation of modern audio-visual equipment and lighting, upgraded dressing rooms, a ‘green room’ for performers, new meeting rooms, improved ventilation, new bathrooms and amenities, installation of disabled parking and accessible ramp, and new landscaping,” Cr Fraser said.
“Once complete, the site will be the ideal venue for theatrical, dance and musical performances, festivals, pop-up galleries and exhibitions, meetings and events.”
The hall has been closed to the community since October 2015.
Maintenance issues and the discovery of asbestos have plagued the heritage-listed building.
Removing the asbestos proved challenging. Council then sought a heritage specialist architect to redesign the hall.
This all took time, and the community has been frustrated by the delay.
Ex-serviceman Alec Howard, of Friends of Rathmines, said it would be appropriate to again see the hall used as a theatrical venue.
“That’s what it was in the beginning – an entertainment venue, as well as a lecture hall and other things. So I don’t object to that,” he said.
But Mr Howard said he remained disappointed by the “lack of recognition” that prevails at Rathmines for the former RAAF air base that occupied the town in the war years.
He said there was an opportunity for council to address that deficiency in both the formation of its master plan for the town, and in its work on the hall.
Mr Howard would like to see historical photographs and information panels included in the building that spoke of the town’s past.
He said other country towns with military histories were far better at honouring the memories of wartime personnel.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald, congratulated council on its progress with the project which received an $800,000 grant through the state government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund this year.
“This hall will give school groups and locals a space to dance, sing and act and engage in all kinds of culture experiences,” he said.
A spokesperson for the council said minor establishment works would be completed before the end of the year to ensure the site was ready for construction to begin once the development application was approved.
“Pending approval, the redevelopment will begin in early 2019 and should be completed by June,” the spokesperson said.
The project was being funded by the state government in association with council, they said.
