Civic Hall on track for end of year completion

Works to restore the interior of the Civic Hall are on track and will be completed within the next six months. 

Ballarat building contractor S.J. Weir won the $4.6 million contract to restore the interior of this public building in the heart of Ballarat. 

The first stage of works, fully-funded by the City of Ballarat, began late January and are well underway. 

Internal detailed demolition, such as redundant services, finishes and select internal walls  Below stage area dressing rooms are nearing completion, painting has mostly been completed, fittings and finishes are underway  Foundations to the new external decks, ramps and stairs  One of the lift wells is nearing completion, the other is underway 

Restoration of the main auditorium with painting, repairs, lighting, electrical and mechanical services, including new heating, cooling and ventilation, along with insulation, acoustic treatments and window restoration  Floor finishes, with tiling for the foyer, carpeting in the upstairs area, vinyl in the wet areas and existing floorboards to be polished  Construction of the deck and access to the west of the hall and café annex 

Upgrades to the stage  Interface with the Ballarat GovHub 

Outside, the staged landscaping works continue with the addition of two palm trees. 

The internal works include the installation of two lifts to the mezzanine and stage area, to make all spaces in the building fully accessible to all members of the community. 

The interior fixtures and finishes will also be restored and upgraded, including acoustic treatment to make the hall suitable for a wide variety of users. 

The works will create 11 direct jobs throughout the construction phase of the project and inject more than $4 million into the local economy. 

The City of Ballarat will continue to lobby for the additional funding needed to complete the full design concepts created by a design team lead by Baumgart Clark Architects. 

Quotes attributable to City of Ballarat Mayor Samantha McIntosh:   

    “For decades the Civic Hall was Ballarat’s premier social venue, and this redevelopment will bring this community asset back to life. 

“We are delighted that works are progressing to schedule and we look forward to the day when we can re-open the doors of the Civic Hall to the Ballarat community.  

“While internal works take shape inside the Civic Hall, the landscaping around the building continues to evolve with new plantings and further works to the west side of the building, creating a more vibrant and attractive space for people to gather. 

“The City of Ballarat is proud to have got things moving again to ensure this building and its surrounds continue to play a significant role in the story of Ballarat.”