AFTER purchasing one of Leeton's most notable buildings for just $1, one of the main concerns was how to manage its upkeep.
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Last year, the state government asked Leeton Shire Council if it would like to buy the former Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission (WCIC) building for $1.
The deal was accepted after council had conducted its due diligence.
There had been concerns about how council would be able to afford to pay for work that was required at the building, but now $209,000 has been approved for the first stage of improvements.
Council made the decision at its March meeting to allocated the money to the "phase A" upgrade works, with the money to come from its infrastructure restriction (reserve) fund.
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Director corporate and community Craig Bennett said it was important several improvements were made to the building.
This phase of the refurbishment will focus on readying an area that the Leeton Family and
Local History Society Inc can utilise for archive storage purposes and preparing a cultural exhibition space.
"The Sydney Living Museum Underworld: Mugshots from the Roaring Twenties exhibition is also coming to Leeton for three months as part of the 2019 Australian Art Deco Festival Leeton event, which is why timing is of the essence," Mr Bennett said.
Among the work expected to be completed is:
- Demolition ($20,000)
- Disabled access ramp ($10,000)
- Disabled parking ($10,000)
- Cleaning of the roof and gutters ($10,000)
- Painting of the interior ($20,000)
- Additional toilets ($30,000)
- Electricity ($30,000)
- Lighting ($20,000)
- Basement storage ($10,000)
- Entrance banners ($10,000)
- Air-conditioning ($20,000)
Adding in a $19,000 contingency and this is how council came up with the $209,000 budget.
Council will soon be calling for expressions of interest to see what organisations in the community might be interested to hire rooms or space in the facility.
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