A DEDICATED group of volunteers has banded together to update the ageing Mount Gambier City Band Hall.
A silver lining of the COVID-19 pandemic meant willing volunteers had more free time to complete key upgrades to the historic facility in preparation for when government restrictions are relaxed and the venue can be opened to performances and gatherings.
Hall steward Jennie Matthews hoped the major overhaul would help bring in more revenue for the historic building, which sits on the corner of Pick Avenue and Lake Terrace East.
She revealed the committee originally set out to repaint the main hall’s internal walls, but upgrades to the kitchen and new women’s and men’s toilets encouraged volunteers to completely refresh the building.
“The painting and renovating this time has been done by a number of volunteers and we went through and listed every job we could think of that needed to be done or be repaired and have just kept going,” Ms Matthews said.
“We have been doing it since the social-distancing guidelines have come into place because it is the perfect time to get it done as we cannot hire out the hall.
“It is great for us in this period of time because it has given us something to do and because of the size of the hall there is plenty.
“The only thing we need to do now is have the plastering finished off in the general meeting room so we can then paint that and put some more carpet down, along with a few other bits and pieces.”
While members have made the most of recent weeks to improve the facility, Ms Matthews said musicians were eager to get back on stage.
“We are all anxiously waiting for the social gathering numbers to increase so the bands can get together and enjoy the hall because a lot of our events have been cancelled so it has been a very quiet time,” Ms Matthews said.
“However once the hall is completed it will look terrific.”
Complementing the renovations, the committee has decided to pay homage to the hall’s history, dedicating the foyer to its previous members and displaying memorabilia.
“We also wish to do some fundraising for a projector into the facility and a new sound system,” she said.
“The bands which use the hall are healthier than ever and there is a lot of community players of both high school kids and younger children and we just want to give them the best.”
The current renovations are expected to be completed within two weeks.
