RMP were engaged to review the management and operation of this historic hall that is over 100 years old.
The outcome was a refurbishment that was sensitive to the heritage of the building but allowed the hall to be utilized to a much greater extent by the community and with enhanced use by existing users such as the Theatre Company.
Policies for fees and charges were developed to recognize the difference between community, non-profit groups and those commercial users who had been paying a highly subsidized rate.
The refurbishment included the introduction of low level air conditioning so that audiences in the summer, and guests at functions and weddings would be comfortable.
The temperature in summer was identified as a key reason the hall was not used more and why it had a bad reputation as being too hot in summer. Another issue was a lack of policy in the booking and management of hirers.
Before the refurbishment, regular hirers such as a martial arts group had left their mats and equipment in the hall effectively preventing its use by other groups. Signage by this group and others was displayed indiscriminately inside and outside the building.
RMP made recommendations to address these issues and to improve the sound and install modern data cabling and lighting control to enable quality sound and lighting for theatre and music performances as well as for other user groups.