Twenty-eight months and almost $6 million.
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That's what it took to see Deniliquin's grand old Town Hall re-opened for public use again.
But the community has been waiting longer to see the historic building come back to life.
It had been closed to the public since 2011 - except for a restricted number of musical performances - due to structural concerns.
The stumbling block was a lack of funds available to the council of the day for the massive project.
The Town Hall revitalisation project officially kicked off in 2019, when Edward River Council received funding support from the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund.
That initial funding commitment of $1.7 million was enough to get moving on the long-awaited restoration.
Subsequent grant announcements has brought the NSW Government’s commitment to the project to $3.86 million.
The remainder of the $5.45 million budget includes $750,000 from Edward River Council and $840,000 from the Federal Government.
And so the Town Hall we have today perfectly blends old and new, with many of the original features restored or expertly rebuilt and the addition of a glass atrium and courtyard at the new side entrance bringing into yet another new century.
Built in the late 1800s, the almost 147 year-old Town Hall retains many of its historic features.
The refurbishment was designed by architect Gerard Brandrick, and the restoration work awarded to Shepparton-based Moretto Building in October 2020.
A number of other businesses, including local businesses, were sub-contracted to work on the project.
Great care was taken to restore the features of the town hall, including remoulding of the intricate, ornate decorations that adorn the ceilings.
Work included extensions and renovations to the stage, ensuring access for all abilities, and new retractable seating on the ground floor.
Sound-proof change rooms, music and storage rooms and integrated audio visual technology enable a broad range of uses.
A new foyer and lobby area provides access from a new civic square at the side of the building, as well as to the refurbished balcony seating.
The original clock and bell were also proudly reinstated, and the floors redone to provide a sound foundation.
Edward River Council Mayor said the result of the project is that an already important community landmark can be “be treasured by generations to come”.
“I join our wonderful residents in expressing pride in the work so many have done to bring the hall to its former glory,” she said.
“Like our forefathers, who with courage and determination overcame many difficulties building this landmark in the 19th century, we too faced challenges through the COVID-19 pandemic and 2022 flood events.
“I can only admire the vision of those who have gone before us, to build such beautiful landmarks as the Deniliquin Court House, Waring Gardens and Town Hall.
“These are all treasures to be protected and enhanced by the Edward River community, and the completion of the Deniliquin Town Hall renovation is this generation’s contribution to the preservation of a legacy left to our care.
“So many individuals from our wonderful community have worked hard to ensure the Town Hall has been returned to its former glory.
“It is impossible to single out individuals or businesses to thank, so I express my sincere appreciation to everyone for their enthusiasm, hard work and passion.”
Newspaper