Gympie Civic Centre officially mould free

Reopening of the long-closed major Gympie entertainment venue is still a year off, but for the first time cameras have been allowed inside to capture the progress after three years of repairs. Watch the video:

A mould free Civic Centre is now the proud accomplishment of the Gympie Regional Council, however, it still has 12 months of work before it reopens to the public.

The Civic Centre briefly opened its doors for the media on Tuesday, taking a tour through the theatres, rooms, basements and cellars of the 70s brutalist building that has an air of majestic resilience despite being both an asset and a thorn to the council.

In 2020, the start of $1.5m in roof repairs revealed the venue was beset by an unforeseen list of safety concerns, from electrical problems to asbestos.

A first look into the long-awaited ongoing refurbishment job of the Gympie Civic Centre. Picture: Christine Schindler

A first look into the long-awaited ongoing refurbishment job of the Gympie Civic Centre. Picture: Christine Schindler

But repairs had to halt when the pandemic hit and the venue became a mass vaccination clinic for Covid in late 2021.

In February 2022, it became a refuge for flood victims stranded in the CBD and a month later was hit by floods itself.

When the blackwater from the floods subsided, the building was left with a deep mould infestation throughout the walls, floors, ventilation pipes, insulation, chairs and more.

A first look into the long-awaited ongoing refurbishment job of the Gympie Civic Centre. Picture: Christine Schindler

A first look into the long-awaited ongoing refurbishment job of the Gympie Civic Centre. Picture: Christine Schindler

“We had to basically hand wipe every area to clean it,” said council asset manager Liam Watson.

The deep cleaning of the building exposed further asbestos in March 2023.

While initially contested, the first $1.5 million set aside for the roof repairs ended up being absorbed into the project as further issues were discovered, Mr Watson said.

Mayor Glen Hartwig gives a tour at the first look into the long-awaited ongoing refurbishment job of the Gympie Civic Centre. Picture: Christine Schindler

A first look into the long-awaited ongoing refurbishment job of the Gympie Civic Centre. Picture: Christine Schindler

There have been no upgrades to the building, as to bring it back to its pre-2019 shape has been the first priority, he said.

In terms of mitigating against future floods, Council was investigating better stormwater drainage and diverting water away from the building, he said.

While insurance claims have managed to come through, Mayor Glen Hartwig said the cost of it to council had come to around $600,000 with a total of $3 million in claims and other funding.

“This is something we hope floods once-in-a-lifetime,” Mr Hartwig said.

Mr Hartwig said building Gympie back after the floods was the first priority.

He recognised the need for public recreational infrastructure and said council had identified a location for an indoor sports centre, and after flood recovery, building it was increasingly becoming a priority.