Structural doubts close Gonville Town Hall

After 81 years of access the Gonville community has been barred from its own town hall.
About 20 members of the BK Aerobics Club, which has held classes in the hall for three and a-half years, turned up last night and were "shocked" to learn they had been locked out.
Another was "pissed off" because she was looking forward to exercising.
Aerobics instructor Brenda Skinner, amazed they did not receive any warning of the closure, moved to Plan B, and the assembled class headed off for a run.
The aerobics group sublets the hall from Dancesport, which was advised of the closure.
Wanganui District Council Parks and Recreation manager Keith Hindson said that during a regular "building warrant of fitness" check last week council staff noticed significant bowing in the external walls.
"The building looks okay from the outside, but inside there is a 75mm gap between the roofing structural timbers.
"The hall is inspected every month, so this has happened only in the last few weeks, between the December and January inspections. "After council staff reported the problem, we arranged for a structural engineering report.
"After a thorough inspection, the engineers advised that the building should be closed to the public in the meantime, and we are working with them to see if we need to shore up the building.
Mr Hindson said the three organisations that regularly used the hall had been contacted and alternative venues were being arranged for them.
"As we don't know the full extent of the structural problems, we would advise people to keep away from the building, as there is nothing to see."
Mr Hindson said the roof construction was of a type commonly used in 1925, but it was impossible to tell if other council buildings might be in the same situation in the near future.
"That's the million-dollar question. It just happened and, as of the moment, it is unexplained."
PICTURED: Locked out? For three and a-half years the BK Aerobics Club have held classes in the Gonville Town Hall. Last night, aerobics instructor Brenda Skinner found access barred, while Donna Wilson (foreground) was annoyed that they learned of the closure from the council's notice attached to the door.