The Upper Plenty Mechanics Institute Hall, or "The Shack" as it's locally known, is back after it was officially reopened on Wednesday 7 April.
Members of the community, the Upper Plenty Mechanics Institute Hall Committee of Management, local MPs, contractors and Council representatives came together to celebrate the return of the iconic hall.
The hall burned down in 2015 not long after being refurbished. The new building takes pride of place on the original site, keeping true to the old design while displaying a balance between modern features and its past history.
Mitchell Shire Council, The Shack Committee of Management, community, insurers and builders worked in partnership to create a facility which can provide a range of activities as well as a venue for the performing arts.
The interior boasts the following improved features:
- a new stage capable of hosting a variety of performances
- an upgraded kitchen to support community events
- improved storage
- new indoor toilets for improved access and comfort
- new rooftop solar system
- a separate landscape improvement project was also completed to brighten up the area - including park furniture, bollards, car parking and line marking, drainage, garden beds and landscaping works
The cost of the rebuild has largely come from The Shack's insurance and Council contributed $147,000 to the project for amenity upgrades and site landscaping.
