We look forward to keeping you informed about our new and improved venues for live performances and events. Please subscribe to The Twyford e-News or Like our Facebook page. If you have specific questions about the impact of the project not already covered in this FAQ, please contact us. Getting the development to this stage has taken some 20 years and we thank the community for its support and understanding during the disruptions.

After 20+ years of lobbying, Twyford Hall Inc has been successful in receiving $7.4 million in grant funding from the NSW State Government through the Regional Communities Development Fund. The remainder of the project is being funded through our own resources, private donations and corporate sponsorships. The Twyford Hall Incorporated Theatre Project Building Fund is a registered Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) meaning that all donations to the fund over $2 are tax-deductible. If you would like to be part of the success of the new venue you can become a donor or become a sponsor.

Works are expected to continue until approximately August 2020. To keep up to date on what is happening, subscribe to The Twyford eNews.

Construction work activity during these times will, wherever possible, be restricted to internal areas of the site. Deliveries are planned to be via the site access in Beach Street. Over long weekends and the Xmas/New Year period, the site will normally be closed.

Plans for the new theatre were developed by local architect Michael Marshman & Associates. Development Approval has been obtained for the work. Project Managers Donald Cant Watts Corke (DCWC) have been appointed and Expressions Of Interest for building tenderers closed on 19 June 2019. Final quotes for construction have been sought from successful EOIs and successful tenders for the construction of the theatre are expected to be announced in September 2019.

The site office will initially be located on the Beach St/Market St corner, accessible via the external door. Signage will be posted as necessary with contact details for the site office/project manager.

Primary access to the site will be from Beach Street to the rear of the existing Hall.

Traffic control measures for vehicles and pedestrians will be provided as necessary. Vehicle traffic in Market and Beach Streets, and the bus stop on Market Street will not be impacted by the construction work though it may be busier than usual due to construction vehicles. Should this need to change, eg for services connection or craneage, application to the relevant authorities will be made. Notices - in accordance with the approvals - will be advised via the newspaper, on our website and via e-news. A footpath hoarding will be required in Market Street for the width of the new theatre to allow for safe working overhead. Interruption to foot traffic will occur during the installation and removal of the hoarding. The hoarding structure will be in accordance with council requirements.

The adjacent shops in Market Street will continue to remain open during construction.

Whilst we will endeavour to minimise disruptions to the operations of the venue, for safety and logistical reasons, access to Twyford Hall, the Supper Room, Kitchen, Box Office and The Twyford Room will be disrupted for short periods at various times to enable the theatre construction to go ahead.

A list of blackout periods for each of the venues will be maintained on our website and communicated via The Twyford eNews and our Facebook page.

The Twyford Room on Market Street will be closed from late 2019. It will include a lift to the new theatre foyer on the first floor.

Twyford Hall will continue to operate most of the time. Theatre construction being carried out adjacent to the Hall may limit availability from time to time, particularly during the day. The doors of the Hall along the side walls, currently used as a second doorway into the Supper Room, access to the toilets and as an exit into the Twyford Room, will be impacted at various times. See the diagram at the top of this page for current details.

The Twyford Hall stage depth will be shortened to approximately 3 metres to accommodate construction of the new theatre backstage area and loading dock. The stage will be unavailable for a short period at the start of construction while curtailment work is carried out. The Hall stage in its final configuration will have a reduced depth and changed access. The stage in the new Theatre will be larger than the existing Twyford Hall stage.

The Twyford Hall Green Room and the shed at the back of the Green Room will be removed from the premises to enable construction to begin. Two new green rooms will be built as part of the new theatre development. The existing box office on Market Street can be used as a small change room until late 2019.

The bio box at the back of Twyford Hall will be restricted, and items belonging to Spectrum Theatre Group jhave been removed. The new theatre will have new lighting, sound, video and communication systems in place.

The Twyford Hall Supper Room will be downsized, losing about 10 square metres from commencement of construction. Access will only be available via the main Beach Street foyer. Enter from either Beach Street entrance or the main Hall. The Market St end of the Twyford Hall Supper Room will be walled off and used initially as the site office before conversion to a sprinkler pump room. Chairs and tables will then be stored at the rear of the Hall.

The existing box office will close in late 2019 and be replaced by a new box office/foyer as part of the Theatre project. The old box office will become the plant room for the venue.

Access to the Hall toilets will be maintained during the course of the works, though the access route will alter from time to time. Access may be limited briefly at the point when new ventilation systems need to be installed.

Hirers with confirmed bookings can continue to collect keys from the Merimbula Newsagency. A site induction will be required for all users, including existing users, should the hired space be impacted due to construction work. All other access enquiries should be submitted via the booking officer.