Gympie Civic Centre reopening date revealed

The proposed date on when the Gympie Civic Centre will be reopened after it was closed for repairs almost two years ago have been revealed. It comes after new details emerged in Wednesday’s council meeting.

The council has revealed a reopening date for the Gympie Civic Centre almost two years after it was closed for repairs.

The centre, located on Mellor St in Gympie’s CBD, was to undergo a $1.5 million facelift in November 2020, but the plans were put on hold after asbestos and other safety issues were exposed.

Prior to its closure, the Civic Centre was the Gympie region’s entertainment and community precinct; used for everything from theatrical productions to business awards and citizenship ceremonies.

But since November 2020, the building has been a shell of what it once was.

Now, plans on when it will be reopened have been shared.

It was revealed during Wednesday’s council meeting the Civic Centre was subject to an ongoing insurance claim after it copped extensive damage, including mould, from stormwater during the February rain event.

The Gympie Civic Centre (pictured) has been subject to an ongoing insurance claim after it copped extensive damage, including mould, from stormwater during the February rain event.

This was on top of plans to repair and update the centre including replacing the roof linings and stormwater hydraulic systems, to remove asbestos from the external cladding of the Fly Tower and internal stairwell to the rear stage entrance of the Heritage Theatre, to build fixed stud and plasterboard partitions and any other work necessary to meet requirements.

The reconstruction and upgrades will cost $1.64 million.

Construction is expected to be complete by October 30, 2022.

Despite being closed to the public, the Civic Centre has been utilised as a temporary Covid vaccine hub in late 2021 and as an evacuation centre during the deadly February floods in 2022.

It is expected to be reopened by December, 2022.

Originally published as Gympie Civic Centre reopening date revealed