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Search forJoy over £50,000 makeover for hall in Portishead
Sunday, August 31, 2008, 08:00
People living in the West Hill area have been pressing North Somerset Council for more than a year to tidy up the Avon Way Hall, which is used by a number of community groups in the town.
Last year a special committee was set up by local residents, hall users and Portishead councillor David Jolley calling for improvements to be made to the building.
Residents were concerned the hall, which had become rundown and tatty over the years, would close unless improvements were made to attract more people to hire it.
Over the past several months, the committee has been working with North Somerset Council, which owns the building, to discuss improvements needed at the hall.
Authority bosses have now announced that a £50,000 programme of improvements at the hall, which is situated above the rank of shops at West Hill, will start next month.
The improvements will see all the external doors and windows replaced and new fascia boards and exterior pipework revamped.
A new toilet, which will be Disability Discrimination Act compliant, will be installed along with a new kitchen which has been donated by DIY store Homebase in the town.
New flooring, given by Gordano Carpets, will also be put down and the building will be internally decorated.
The building will also be re-insulated in an attempt to make it more energy efficient.
It is hoped work will start at the beginning of September and be completed by the middle of October.
Cllr Jolley, who led the campaign for the hall to be revamped, said: "I am extremely pleased that work is going to start on Avon Way Hall to provide better local facilities for the community.
"At the moment the building is cold and not very inviting and we are hoping the work will improve the hall and attract more people to use it.
"The committee has been working with North Somerset Council to discuss the improvements needed and I am pleased that work will now get under way."
The hall is currently used by a senior citizens group, dance classes and a choir.
Cllr Jolley said plans were in the pipeline to organise a special event in November to mark the completion of the work.
He added: "We are hoping to organise a barn dance and a wedding exhibition in November to show off the revamped hall.
"We hope people will come along to see the new facilities and it will encourage more people to hire the building.
"I would very much like to see different groups come forward and run events such as a young people's disco."
Anyone interested in hiring the hall can contact North Somerset Council on 01934 888888.
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