Historic Thornton Hall set to become childcare centre

TWO years ago Thornton Hall was rundown and full of graffiti. Today, it has been restored and will soon open to the public as a childcare centre.

Heritage building specialist Peter Cipollone has restored Thornton Hall in Penrith. Picture: Angelo Velardo

LITTLIES will learn, play and create lasting memories at Penrith’s beautifully restored Thornton Hall in a matter of months.

As final touches are being made at the site, major childcare operator Greenwood is calling for families to enrol their children for next year.

General manager of development Jason Roberts said the centre would be named Greenwood Penrith and open its doors in early 2018.

An old photograph of historic Thornton Hall, an 1800s building.

Mr Roberts confirmed this would be the company’s first centre in western Sydney.

“Greenwood Penrith has been designed around the historic Thornton Hall, enabling the original building to be retained and used predominantly as the entrance to the centre,” he said.

There will be eight classrooms for up to 160 children, aged six weeks to six years.

Eight classrooms have been built at the expansive site. Picture: Angelo Velardo

A few years ago, Thornton Hall was dark, covered in graffiti and its original doors had been stolen.

Heritage building specialist Peter Cipollone, who spent decades in education working with deaf students before he retired, saw an ad searching for someone to“acquire, restore and come up with a use for” the rundown building.

For two years, the owner and his team have restored the dwelling. It has soaring, painted pressed metal ceilings, new stairs, blue gum floors, redone marble fireplaces and a rebuilt balcony.

An updated marble fireplace. Pic: Angelo Velardo

The balcony was knocked down and rebuilt true to its old form. Pic: Angelo Velardo

“I interviewed one of the great, great, great-grandchildren of Thomas Smith, Marjorie, who came here as a child and remembered the corrugated iron over the stairs was green and cream, so we have reflected that colour scheme.”

The floors have been levelled throughout and doorways widened to make the building accessible for all.

Mr Cipollone said he couldn’t wait to see youngsters breathe new life into the old property.

A look at Thornton Hall before Mr Cipollone and his team started restoring it. Picture: Matthew Sullivan

“There is scope for them to have animals like chickens here, which won’t be possible in the future due to limited land,” he said.

“These kids will become the generation who can point to the building and say ‘I went to preschool there’ — and that is where the community engagement will begin and continue.”

To find out more call 1300 947 336 or email [e-mail].