Anyone who frequents the Baan Baa area, or drives through on the highway, will have noticed some changes – the town hall has been given a facelift, restoring it to its former glory with the addition of several brand-new elements.
The western side of the building now features a new skillion, which extends down almost the full length of the hall.
Meanwhile a cement slab has been laid on the hall’s eastern side.
The war memorial was also included in the makeover, with a new backing installed just in time for Anzac Day this year.
“So, the silhouette stands out a lot better now,” one of the dedicated locals involved in the project, Steve Eather, said.
But the hall makeover began long before these two newer elements were completed.
“Over the last couple of years, we’ve painted it all inside and out,” Mr Eather said.
“As well as work on the inside ceiling.”
These enhancements join a newly- refurbished kitchen, which was installed within the last decade.
Mr Eather says the makeover will open more hosting opportunities for the Baan Baa Hall.
“We used to hold trivia nights and balls, which we’re looking at getting up and running again now that the renovations are done,” he said.
“Those extensions out the side mean we will be able to set up an area for people to sit down and have a meal, without having to hire a marquee for those bigger events.”
“The hall is there, ready for anyone to use, and we encourage people to make use of the facility.”
Local tradespeople were contracted to work on the hall updates.
The project was made possible thanks to a combination of local fundraising and government grants.
The community raised $25,000 for the war memorial work, with generous donations from local people and businesses across the Narrabri Shire.
Meanwhile the skillion was covered by a $40,000 government grant, and the inside renovations and painting came under an additional $60,000.
“The whole playground and fencing surrounding it is brand new, thanks to some Narrabri Shire funding,” Mr Eather said.
“A few small towns in the area were awarded the playground grants and Baan Baa was lucky enough to be one of them.”
Mr Eather says the work has almost totally renewed the old hall and doesn’t foresee any further construction any time soon.
“It looks absolutely wonderful and everyone’s very happy with how it turned out.”
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