Freemans Reach Hall Gets New Lease On Life

Bookings for Freemans Reach School of Arts started surging after a NSW Government investment of more than $110,000 transformed it from a dark, potentially dangerous and occasionally waterlogged hall into a safe and accessible venue at the heart of community life.

A new retaining wall behind the hall, roof guttering and drains will help keep the School of Arts hall, north of Windsor, safe from torrential rain after water and silt flooded the interior to a depth of 10 centimetres during heavy rain in March 2022.

The yard in front of the smaller one was transformed into a large child-friendly area, with a new farm-style fence with wooden rails and wire mesh to prevent kids from wandering onto busy Blacktown Road. These upgrades have made the School of Arts a popular venue for children’s parties and activities ranging from drama classes to Tae Kwon Do lessons.

Originally built in 1901, the hall had a dark interior now brightened by new LED lights on the high ceilings, freshly polished floorboards, new paint and a new wall to replace the rusty iron sheeting at the rear. A paved driveway made the hall accessible for people with mobility issues and made it easier for visitors to unpack food, decorations and equipment for parties and events.

Freemans Reach School of Arts is a Crown Reserve and Crown Lands invested in the hall from the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund. Minister for Lands and Property, Steve Kamper said Crown Land was held in trust for the community and supported everything from community halls and PCYCs to showgrounds, racecourses, ovals, parks and walking tracks.

“Local halls are one of the centres of community life, hosting neighbourhood Christmas parties, family functions and sporting and community groups that enrich the lives of people of all ages,” Mr Kamper said.

“This NSW Government investment has rejuvenated Freemans Reach School of Arts and allowed the hall to continue to contribute to its local community.”

Freemans Reach School of Arts Treasurer, Glenda Chapman said the upgrades supported a community that had endured the impacts of fires, floods and the pandemic.

“The upgrade helped us restore the spirit of our community after the bushfires, floods and then COVID, and now we’re hosting parties where people bring portable pizza ovens or jumping castles,” Ms Chapman said.

“The hall looks great with new lighting and an awesome paint job and people love the new fence because their kids can play safely outside. “We’re now thriving with new bookings for parties and all sorts of community and sporting groups.”

IMAGE: Freemans Reach School of Arts gets a facelift, complete with new fence.

IMAGE: The newly polished floorboards and painted interior of Freemans Reach School of Arts creates a brighter, open space for events.

IMAGE: The new retaining walls behind Freemans Reach School of Arts will help in times of heavy rain.

• Topics:

• Public Works
• Performing Arts
• Arts and Media