Plans for hall moving at pace

The Stewart Memorial Hall at Glendermott Road started life as a school back in 1867, and for many decades now has served the community needs of All Saint’s Church at Clooney Terrace.

However, a decade ago it began to become clear that the physical structure of the hall was becoming antiquated and outmoded to cope with the heavy demands of extra curricular church activities.

But, almost ten years on from a mooted desire to modernise the building the plans are steadily approaching fruition. Minister at All Saint’s Rev Malcolm Ferry has told the Sentinel that a list for the top five tenders from architects is expected any day, and that vying for ownership of the design project attracted a heavy amount of interest.

“The advertisement for the job attracted over 40 architects with 17 firms actually making a full application to win the tender. “

Modernisation may be one thing, but Rev Ferry said that a key concept in the revamp of the Stewart Memorial Hall was to make it as eco-friendly as possible with an eye on minimising running costs as much as possible. The Rural Development Council are currently assessing the final five architects applications, with the winning tender expected to be announced within days.

“We can then assess the price with a view to harnessing the latest technology to be incorporated into the hall. It comes at great time for the city with the Peace Bridge being finalised and the developments at the Ebrington site,” said Rev Ferry.

The minister also said that the project will be allowed some latitude in terms of pricing so its hoped when the architectural plans are finalised locally based contractors can bid for the building work.

The aim is to have the work at Stewart Memorial Hall finished by September next year, but whilst building work is ongoing the plan is to relocate activties currently held at the hall to other locations temporarily. Scouting and guiding activities will be therefore shifted to Ebrington Primary School whilst the highly popular Bowling Club will shift to Lisnagelvin Primary School. It is also hoped that other buildings will move to accommodate other activities such as youth groups as the need arises.

Rev Ferry said: “It is sad that the old Stewart Memorial Hall is passing but the new one will be a joyful place for the future.”

See page 24 for a further report.