A new era dances its way in for Kentucky Memorial Hall committee with Dan Ward, left, Gary Bashford, Margaret Ward, Beatrice Bashford, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, Bill Lulham, Uralla Shire Mayor Mick Pearce, Angus Carter and Janette Carter.
Tuesday, 14 January 2020
THE local home of old time dance is ready to swing its way into a new era with much needed repairs to the structural integrity of Kentucky Memorial Hall now complete, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall announced today.
The hall committee received a $22,600 State Government grant to fix leaks in the walls, windowsills and timber roof in the 80-year-old building.
Mr Marshall said the works would allow the hall to remain the beating heart of the small community for many years to come.
“Kentucky Memorial Hall is one of the busiest community halls in the region, hosting monthly dances, birthday parties, community meetings, regular preschool catch ups and school presentations,” Mr Marshall said.
“In a normal season Kentucky can be very wet under foot and these refurbishments have been important in preventing ongoing water damage to the buildings structure and expensive maintenance costs for the committee.
“A fresh coat of paint has rendered these repairs virtually invisible keeping the hall true to its original 1940 construction, while also going a long way to protecting the structure from the hot summer sun and beating winter rain.”
Mr Marshall said the community was also working to address longstanding drainage problems at the front of the hall.
“For nearly all its life drainage has been a problem at the Kentucky Hall,” he said.
“Work is taking place to reshape the path which runs to the roadway, helping redirect run off in the main congregation area outside the front of hall.
“This will prevent water from pooling which will enable better access to the hall during wet weather and crucially keep the damp away from the hall’s foundations.
“Recently I attended a drought morning tea and community get together which was incredibly well patronised, showing this venue holds an important place in the hearts of locals.”