The 65-year-old Tuross Head Progress Association Hall is about to fall victim to progress.
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The opening of the completely refurbished Kyla Park Hall at Tuross Head later this year will pave the way for demolition of the current hall in the south western corner of Tuross Head.
Council says that the new hall is likely to be finished in early September. The land on which the current hall sits, considered prime real estate, will be sold and the proceeds go to Tuross Head community projects.
The majority of residents and ratepayers gave the replacement the thumbs up in a survey, but there are those who have great memories of the hall and will be sad to see it go.
“For me it, embodies the charm and character of Tuross and it has a view to die for,” Councillor Chris Kowal said.
“I believe that places like this should remain community assets.”
Over the years the hall has served as a movie theatre and venue for wedding receptions, 21st parties and the like. It is still in use as a regular meeting place for the likes of community groups and exercise classes.
Tuross Head Progress Association treasurer Joan Buchan remembers when the hall was the hub of the whole town and is understandably sorry that it has to go.
“I think it is sad because it is part of the history of the place, and those who voted to demolish it don’t even use it,” she said.
Fay and Leone Beers have been coming to the hall for 20 years and will also miss it.
“My brother and father were here when Alby Mangels was here showing one of his movies,” Fay said.
“I’m sad and disappointed it’s going.”
However, Eurobodalla Shire Council infrastructure services director Warren Sharpe says
the demolition of the hall is fully justified.
“It is an old building which doesn’t comply with disabled access standards and there are major issues with car parking,” he said.
Eurobodalla Shire Council formed a sunset committee consisting of Tuross Progress Association members Maureen Baker, Jeff De Jager and Gary Cooper and Councillors Lindsay Brown, Keith Dance and Rob Pollock to discuss the hall’s fate, and 3000 survey forms were mailed to Tuross residents and ratepayers, the majority of whom voted to demolish the hall.
“We wanted to make it a
community process, not a council process,” Mr Sharpe said.
