Excitement builds for Winch Hall opening

WINCHELSEA residents will get their first look at a redeveloped Shire Hall building next month.

Winchelsea Community House (WCH) and the Surf Coast Shire will open the revamped hall on February 10 for a welcoming and information day before the Community House begins its new services from the iconic building.

WCH, which is located next to the hall site, last year agreed with the shire to expand its lease to include the hall starting on January 1.

The council has removed the hall’s former stage, laid new carpet, and updated the interior with a new paint job and minor repairs to prepare the former Shire Hall for its new era.

The hall will soon have furniture added to equip it as a multi-purpose space hosting community activities and groups, as well as casual drop-ins, a visitor information centre and the council’s Winchelsea maternal and early years services.

WCH committee of management’s Tony Phelps said the group was eager to finally reopen the revamped hall almost three years since it was last open for public use.

“The painting’s done, the carpet’s in, I think the furniture is all that’s left to be delivered,” he said.

“The general plan is for the officials to open the place and then have the people come in after that and have a look.

“It’s an empty space now, so the challenge is to fill it with people.

“We’re expecting the official opening in February, cutting the ribbon so to speak, then people can come in and the marketing will begin in earnest to get people using the space.”

Mr Phelps said WCH was excited to hire former Neighbourhood House Barwon network co-ordinator Jill Evans to manage new activities from the hall.

The community house has a three-year lease to operate the facility that has remained closed since April 2019 when it was used as tea rooms.