Historic hall back in community hands

The historic Allandale Community Hall, near Teddington, is back in the community’s hands.

The 120-year-old hall was badly damaged in the Canterbury earthquakes and was closed for safety reasons.

The repaired Allandale Community Hall.

However, a major repair effort over the past year has seen the earthquake damage fixed and some upgrades made to the hall.

It now has a new kitchen, accessible toilets, new wiring, and doors that lead to a large deck on the north side of the building.

The original floors in the hall have also been revarnished and the hall painted inside and out.

The hall was officially re-opened last night by Banks Peninsula Councillor and Deputy Mayor Andrew Turner.

“I know locals have greatly missed having the hall as a place to gather because before the earthquakes it really was a focal point for the community,’’ says Cr Turner.

“I’m delighted that by working in partnership with the Allandale Reserve Management Committee we have been able to not only repair the damage to the hall, but also make some really good improvements to it.

“The work that has been done means the hall can remain at the heart of this community for many years into the future,’’ Cr Turner says.