Opportunity to repurpose well-loved community facility

A much-loved hub of Windale’s close-knit community is set to get a new lease of life in another location as Lake Macquarie City Council seeks to have it relocated.

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Expressions of interest have opened to move the c.1958 Windale Community Hall on Lake Street and repurpose it at another location, making way for a new community centre and library due to be built on the site later this year.

Council’s Circular Economy Lead Debbie O’Byrne said the EOI process sought to identify a not-for-profit or for-purpose organisation to relocate and repurpose the community hall, continuing the community benefit gained from the existing building.

“The community hall, originally built in 1958, has been well-cared for by the community and remains in good condition for reuse,” Ms O’Byrne said.

“Its size no longer meets the growing needs of the Windale community, which is why we are constructing a new community centre and library for all to enjoy, but it is still a fantastic building that could provide many more years of valuable use to the right group.”

Interested groups need to cover the cost of moving the building to a new location, and will need to obtain relevant approvals and permits.

“Offering the building for relocation and re-use supports Council’s sustainability principles of working towards a circular economy, where we reuse, repurpose, repair and less of our products and materials end up in landfill,” Ms O’Byrne said.

The building features a 161sqm hall, 88.5sqm multipurpose room, 23.5sqm kitchen, stage, storeroom, office space and an accessible toilet. The building is required to be removed from the site by Friday 23 July 2021.

Expressions of Interest can be submitted online at lakemac.com.au. Applications close 9am, Monday 14 June 2021.