Energizer Church moves ahead with plans to convert former Coogans store into community centre

An application has been lodged with council that would see the redevelopment of a well-known retail store in greater Hobart into a church and community centre.

The former Coogans site at Moonah. Colliers International and PRD Nationwide sold the property to the Energizer Church as part of the Coogans Real Estate Portfolio in Hobart CBD and Moonah. Picture: SUPPLIED

THE proposed conversion of a former retail institution in greater Hobart into a church and community hub has taken a step forward.

The Energizer Church bought the former Tasmanian furniture and electrical retailer Coogans site in Moonah last year to use the space as a church as well as for storage and with retail tenancies.

Local firm CBM Sustainable Design has lodged a planning application with the Glenorchy City Council on behalf of the church for change of use to “community meeting and entertainment and three retail tenancies with associated demolition and works.”

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Senior pastor David Morse said previously told the Mercury the redeveloped building would include a 350-400 seat auditorium for community use including conferences, a cafe with children’s playground and a smaller auditorium on the top floor for activities such as dance, music and counselling services.

“We’re not going there to just build a church, it’s much more a community centre,” he said.

The church began holding services at their new site last month.

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The change of use application will be publicly advertised until January 21.

A finance business continues to operate in the Coogans family name, but is now based out of Derwent Park.

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