PENOLA’S historic Rymill Memorial Hall is on track to get a face-lift in coming months with Wattle Range Council agreeing to stage a meeting to discuss double doors and wheelchair access.
Penola PA&H Society secretary Kathy Fennell was one of two community members to write to council to detail preferred upgrades to the facility.
Council recently earmarked $150,000 in its 2019/20 budget to upgrade the hall toilets, office and front doors.
In her submission, Ms Fennell said the front doors to the facility must be double doors in order to allow wheelchairs, stretchers and oversized temporary installations for community events.
She also said a change to the supper room door was required and a single door was not appropriate for the facility.
“It is imperative this be a double door,” the submission said.
“It would be a serious inconvenience taking trestle tops and legs and other tables in and out through a single doorway, especially with the limited maneuverability.
“We do get a lot of funerals here at Rymill Hall and it would make sense for the coffin to be able to fit through them.”
The show secretary suggested removing the non-load bearing walls in the current office, allowing the space to be as large as possible.
“I did find it disappointing the society and Penola Players were the only two who made submissions to council, however I believe it is great council is willing to listen to our ideas.”
Following a handful of other comments on the development plans, Ms Fennell’s letter was discussed during this month’s council meeting.
Councillor Rick Paltridge spoke on the plans after declaring a conflict of interest on the matter.
Cr Paltridge said the society and other regular users of the hall would be happy with the final results.
He said the show society’s proposed changes should be accommodated.
Council ended the discussion with a decision to further incorporate the two main facility users in a meeting to flesh out a final design.
