A $1.2 million makeover of the historic Myrtleford Memorial Hall will be celebrated at an official public re-opening of the facility this month.

Community members are being invited to join Alpine Shire Council for the festivities between 1pm and 2:30pm on Friday, 31 October.

The celebration will include information about the renewal process, a presentation detailing construction work involved and a short demonstration of the new audiovisual equipment.

Speeches will commence shortly after 1pm, after which attendees will have the opportunity to explore the hall at their own leisure, with light refreshments provided.

Community members are also encouraged to visit the Myrtleford Visitor Information Centre, which has been newly relocated to the hall and will be open during the official opening for all to enjoy.

The hall, at 154-156 Myrtle Street, was built in 1924, served as a cinema and dance hall to the community for much of its life, but had sat idle for more than a decade with its state of disrepair exacerbated by a major roof leak in 2018.

The recent upgrade has helped transform the hall into a modern, multipurpose, and flexible community space that is inclusive and accessible to all.

The building now has an access ramp, access steps, hand railing, tactile ground indicators, wheelchair accessibility, and entry and wayfinding signage, as well as automated doors, and people with a disability or additional needs will also benefit from new accessible toilets.

Council contributed $250,000, with the remainder funded by Victorian and Commonwealth governments for the project, carried out by main contractor being Joss Facility Management Pty Ltd.

Alpine Shire Mayor, Cr Sarah Nicholas, encouraged members of the Myrtleford community to attend the reopening of this special building to find out more about its history, as well as the latest works.

“Gathering spaces are really important in rural and regional communities because they help to connect people and bring communities together,” she said.

“Whether you have personal memories of your time at the hall or whether you’re wanting to create new ones, you’re invited to experience what was and will continue to be, a very important building for the Myrtleford community.”

No RSVPs are required.