Tuesday, 4 April 2017
Vintage blue bricks available to the public
THOUSANDS of bricks from the old Armidale Hospital are on offer to the public following the demolition of the century-old Infectious Diseases Ward, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall announced today.
The unique ‘blue brick’ building was dismantled to make way for the new $60 million redevelopment, but elements of the 1911 ward will take a pride of place in the new facility.
Mr Marshall said 7,000 of the blue bricks were removed and will be recycled into the final landscape of the new building. He said there was an additional 21 cubic metres of bricks and mortar which Hunter New England Health is making available free of charge to collectors, builders, historians and everyone in between.
“These unique and locally made bricks are a tangible link to the hospital’s past and I’m delighted 7,000 of them will be used and incorporated into the redevelopment,” Mr Marshall said.
“There will be still many bricks left over and instead of dumping them in landfill, there’s a chance for members of the public to get their hands on a piece of Armidale’s history, for a souvenir, historical artefact or some garden or outdoor paving project.
“They are available free of charge and people can take as many as they want, so don’t wait too long otherwise you’ll miss out.”
Constructed in 1911, the former Infectious Diseases building was instrumental in the early years of the town, helping to prevent the spread of tuberculosis and polio.
In recent years, it had been used as an administration block, and became functionally redundant with the construction of the new hospital. With asbestos present and later alterations compromising the original interior, demolition was considered the best option.
“With thousands of bricks and striking leadlights carefully removed from the old premises, the old building will be preserved and honoured in the new $60 million hospital,” Mr Marshall said.
The remaining bricks are at being held at New England Building Recyclers, 240 Brown Street, Armidale, open 9am – 5pm and are available until the end of May.
Staff will be on hand to help load up utes and trailers with the bricks where possible.