In recent times I have come to recognise the Hall’s great value to Martinborough and to the whole community. Of course, it is only as valuable as it is used and everyone knows it’s not used nearly enough. Why? Because overall it’s not a handsome building: it stands forlorn, off to one side and – for so many reasons – tends to be neglected.
Yet even in it’s present sad state it hosts successful and profitable events : just wait for the Centennial year MADCAPS (August 15 – 18) and Jazz in Martinborough (Aug 30/31 – Sep 1 – 2). That’s maybe 7 full halls, equivalent to 1 successful event per month for 6 or 7 months!
Well, now the Council intends to strengthen it (up to 100% of the current code) and make good – around $1.4 – and then, with full community involvement, greatly improve it inside and out – around another $1.4m.
A vital part of this improvement is to landscape/streetscape the area to link the place to the Square, so the Hall can play its full part as a majestic building in the centre of town. There is a lot to do, costing a lot of money – and it will take several years, but we can now be sure the Council and the community will do it, working together. Onwards!
Ian Cresswell
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