Pearl Beach hall may get a facelift

The Pearl Beach Progress Association community hall may get a facelift with the rear timber deck to be extended and a new steel roof added to part of it.

A small chair storeroom will be added to the rear of the hall.

Association president Mr Peter Romey has submitted a development application to Central Coast Council, with a heritage impact assessment for the proposed alterations and additions prepared by Ms Mary Knaggs, director of Romey Knaggs Heritage Pty Ltd.

Public notification and advertising about the proposal closed on July 18.

The hall at 9 Diamond Rd, Pearl Beach, is listed as a heritage item.

It was built when members of the association, established in 1929, raised funds to buy a vacant block of land in 1943 to construct a community hall.

The heritage impact assessment to council said construction was delayed by a shortage of both funds and materials as a result of World War 2, but commenced in early 1949 using a combination of voluntary and paid labour, supervised by local builder Cliff Mazlin.

"Although the hall was not officially opened until September 1950, it hosted its first function in 1949 while still unfinished,'' Ms Knaggs wrote.

"The hall has been upgraded and enlarged several times since1950 to accommodate larger gatherings and functions, especially dances.

"It was extended to the rear to almost double its size in 1957, and in the 1990s the kitchen was refurbished and the rear deck was added.

"Today, the hall continues to be the heart of the Pearl Beach community.

"The hall is used by community groups, association meetings and other events, musical recitals, yoga, pilates, Anzac Day ceremonies, book fairs, film nights, art and craft workshops and shows and preschool play groups."

The proposed works will enlarge the back terrace and build new wider steps to improve connectivity to the rear garden.

It will include a new covered timber walkway and steps from a new door on the southern elevation, replacing existing timber steps and creating an alternative access route from the hall to the terrace.

The new materials will generally match those existing on site which is appropriate for a heritage item with existing timber handrails steps and screens to be re-used.

The work is estimated to cost $50,000 if approved by council.

SOURCE

DA Tracker, 16 Jul 2019

DA 56717, Central Coast Council