Bellingen Shire Council has awarded the tender for the detailed design of the Memorial Hall upgrade, extension and car park to Sibling Architecture.
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The $4m makeover that's in store for Bellingen's premiere venue for arts and culture includes a new two-storey wing at the rear of the existing building, with flexible spaces that can accommodate intimate performances or film screenings, a Green Room, an exhibition/function area, kitchen, supper room, two change rooms, an outdoor upper deck, stairs to the main hall and a lift that will connect to a revamped car park with 110 spaces.
The existing hall will also have its toilets, fittings and finishes updated, structural repairs, new raked seating increasing capacity from 160 to 210 and trolley storage built under the stage to improve access to instruments and equipment. There's also solar panels, a hearing loop, foyer upgrades and improved lighting and flooring to be installed plus interior and exterior painting.
Cr Steve Klipin described awarding the design tender for such a major undertaking as "a mighty thing to do".
"We're about to press go on a project that has widespread implications for the community, in the same way as when they build that grand old dame 100 years ago," he said.
Sibling Architecture's offices are based in Sydney and Melbourne, but project sponsor Michelle McFayden assured councillors that the firm has experience working in regional areas and their tender, which is for $315,990, includes use of local subcontractors.
Ms McFayden said council went through an intensive process in accordance with their procurement guidelines.
"Our expectation is that we will meet with the successful tenderer as early as next week to kick off the process," she said.
The tender evaluation panel comprised Deputy GM Michelle McFadyen - Project Sponsor; Caroline Szary - Project Manager; Dean Besley - Community Engagement and Project Specialist; John Fyfe - Maintenance Manager and Michael Chance, Create NSW, NSW Government.
After the council meeting, Caroline Szary and Dean Besley said the process of preparing tender documents based on the concept design and evaluating the eight bidders has been underway since April.
Once the detailed design and specification documents are received from Sterling Architects, there will be another round of community feedback before the building tender is released.
Construction work is expected to begin mid to late next year.