Tallow Community Centre, formerly known as The Arch Ballroom, is to undergo major refurbishment in the coming months.
Waterford Leader funding to the tune of €275,000 has been secured by the Community Centre Committee and Phase 3 of the Development Programme is now well under way.
Sean Tobin, chairman of Tallow Community Centre Committee told The Avondhu that the aim of Phase 3 is to make the community centre ‘a state-of-the-art facility for all the patrons who use it’.
The Community Centre in Tallow was purchased by a group of extremely innovative people in 1976 and has been serving the community and its environs since.
People of all ages and all interests find themselves in Tallow Community Centre at some point in their lives for one reason or another as it is a hub of activity 7 days a week.
There are over 20 social dances held there every year and Brideview Drama, who recently came 2nd in the All-Ireland Drama finals are anchor tenants and use the facilities all year round.
There is a fitness gym located there which is used by many local people on a daily basis; there is bingo every Sunday night and there which attracts approximately 120 regulars every week.
While it is a place of celebration, hosting parties, antique and craft fairs, community events, AGM’s, dances and much more, it also accommodates gatherings after funerals.
The centre is a place of learning with weekly dance classes, taekwondo classes, drama rehearsals etc., and is a welcome space, located in the heart of the town, which is available to all who wish to use it.
Over the past 10 years the facilities in the hall have been steadily improving under the development programme and now those facilities will be again upgraded during phase 3.
“We envisage that when phase 3 is complete and the standard of facilities in the community centre are further improved that it could be a contender for weddings and other such events,” said Sean Tobin.
Phase 3 will see many exciting changes and refurbishments completed in the hall such as the draping of the interior of the main hall with curtain, the replacement of all windows, the installation of a brand new eco-friendly and economic heating system to the value of €45,000 while the entrance hall and foyer will become a welcoming lounge area for patrons.
Some very important construction work which will be also going ahead under phase three, is the insulation of walls and repairs to the roof. The upstairs area is due to be completely refurbished and at least one meeting room will be constructed there which will be of great use for businesses and clubs in the community.
All of these changes will make the hall a much more comfortable, warm and inviting venue and will be an asset that the people of Tallow can be proud of and make use of for years to come.
“The message from the committee is that the community centre is available to all groups and sectors in the community. The goal of this project is to bring the venue to a hotel standard,” Sean Tobin said when speaking to The Avondhu this week.
It is envisaged that phase 3 will be completed by October so that the hall will be ready for it’s busy winter season. However, the committee wish to assure patrons that the hall will still be available for use in so far as possible during construction and refurbishment works.
