Hall goes from sorry state to like new

GOOD JOB: Don Hatfull and Stephen Lewis, Hunterville Hall Committee members, at the town hall they have helped to revamp over the last few years. PHOTOS/BEVAN CONLEY 100315WCBRCHUN02

Hunterville now has a shiny town hall of which it can be proud.

The Hunterville Town Hall has been renovated over the last three years by voluntary labour and through community grants.

The hall, built in 1929, was badly neglected about five years ago and, fearing it would be left to "sit there and rot", locals formed a hall committee to resurrect the public building.

"We'd got one going with the swimming baths and it worked really well," said committee member Don Hatfull. "For about the first two years nothing really happened. We sort of tried to get it off the ground."

But during the past three years the "unusable" toilets had been revamped, the hall had been rewired and painted inside and out, it had been given a new roof, its floors were polished and now it boasted new chairs and tables.

As well, a new sound system and projector have been installed. The overall effect is that of a new building.

"We just spent weekends down here and we did it," Mr Hatfull said.

"You just can't let a hall just sit there and rot. The thing is, the building wasn't going anywhere so you may as well have it looking good."

Much of the work was voluntary but the group received more than $100,000 in funding from various groups including Dudding Trust and Powerco.

"It just proves that if you ask for all this money, you'll get it," Mr Hatfull said.

Since the renovation, use of the hall had increased greatly.

"People didn't use it that much. You wouldn't hold a decent function here."

But Mr Hatfull said the community was impressed with the work that had been done.

"There's been three of four really big do's here since we've done it up and all we've had is praise."

There is still a bit to do to finish off, with the foyer being worked on this winter, as well as the upstairs boardroom.

Rangitikei mayor Andy Watson said the committee had done an amazing job.

"Hunterville has a community that is almost like no other. They just get in and make things happen," Mr Watson said.

"I take my hat off to the community."