SAFETY issues have forced the closure of the Cooroy Community Hall, but officials say the closure is only temporary.
A Cooroy RSL spokesperson said safety reports tabled at a community meeting held on Monday night 9 November prompted the board of trustees to temporarily close the hall.
The meeting was called to inform local residents of the current state of the hall and to seek community input for the upkeep of the historic building.
On the night, 29 members of the public along with five councillors attended the meeting, where chairman Phil Hutchinson explained underlying structural issues such as the functionality of the kitchen and toilet facilities, plumbing issues, termite damage and electrical report issues.
According to the minutes from the meeting, the Cooroy RSL does not have the funds, and is not in a position to raise funds, to maintain or refurbish the hall.
“It was also made very clear to the community that Bendigo Bank’s potential past funding was no longer available at this stage and it was re-enforced to the public that the hall is ‘community owned’ but by no specific entity and that it is located on a combination of titles and that the Cooroy RSL merely act as trustees,” the meeting minutes said.
It was hoped the meeting would inspire locals to come together to develop possible solutions for the Cooroy Community Hall so the community could continue to use the facility.
Should no local groups want to take responsibility, Noosa Today understands one possible solution to ensuring upkeep of the building is to pass the ownership of the hall to the State Government or the Noosa Council.
A second meeting is to be held in the coming weeks with the Cooroy RSL hopeful a steering committee or incorporated entity will come forward in the meantime to take responsibility for the great hall.
Despite the public meeting, the board of trustees decided on Tuesday 10 November to close the hall temporarily to “protect the safety of the community”, with the hall to re-open once it is deemed safe.
But with no money in the kitty for the hall it is unknown when it will be open again for community use.
Anyone who would like more information on the hall or would like to offer a solution to the upkeep of the hall, the Cooroy RSL have created a website www.cooroyrsl.com.au/cooroyhalltoday
