One of Warkworth’s oldest residents is on the road to recovery after lying neglected and unsafe for the past four years. The Warkworth Town Hall, a Category 1 listed building, has endured a lot since it was first built in 1911.
Auckland Council’s Project Manager, Andrew Hollis says the end of the “dirty work” is near and the project will soon move into an exciting phase of reconstruction.
Progress on the site has been a little slower than expected due to ground conditions affecting the installation of the piling to the Alnwick Street elevation.
But lately, good progress has been made with a few notable changes inside the hall including:
- Installation of a new stage with disabled platform lift (almost complete)
- Pouring of large concrete ground beams
- Installation of shot-crete to the green room walls which allows for strengthening of the concrete wall
- Installation of structural steel to strengthen the main hall
- Installation of scaffolding for the removal and replacement of roof sheeting.
Builders will also be taking advantage of the current patch of fine weather to begin roof strengthening and replacement works.
Brenda Steele, chair of the Rodney Local Board, says that she is pleased with the progress of the hall’s restoration after an “inspiring” site visit, and thanks all supporters for their fundraising efforts so far.
“It’s exciting to see first-hand the restoration work and to have an understanding of some of the challenges as more of the building is uncovered and its character and history revealed. The existing roof-line is visible without the art deco trim that was added later.
"Your local board and the Warkworth Town Hall Restoration Trust are committed to the restoration.”
