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.

Building works are expected to begin after the Australia Day weekend in January 2020 and continue until approximately November 2020 with fitout continuing into early 2021. 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 in June 2019. Tenders closed in September and the successful tender for the construction of the theatre was announced in December 2019 as Monarch Building Solutions from the ACT.

The site office will be located in the shop next to the Twyford Room on Market St (formerly Amelda's Shoes). 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 should 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. Please note that Bega Valley Shire Council Traffic Management Committee announced in December 2019 that the Loading Zone on Beach St will be temporarily relocated to Alice St while building works are happening. 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 shop in Market Street (formerly Ameldas Shoes) is being used as a site office for the builder. Horizon Bank will remain open during most of the construction period.

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 new online booking procedure will be implemented with effect from 1 January 2020 so that all bookings come via THI Operations and require approval by the Building team before they can be confirmed.

A list of blackout periods and bookings for each of the venues will be maintained on our website at https://twyfordhall.com.au/calendar/ with effect from 1 January 2020.

The Twyford Room on Market Street will be closed from early 2020. It will eventually become the public entrance for the new theatre and include a lift and stairwell 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 but builders will be mindful of existing bookings. 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 shed at the back of the Green Room has been removed from the site. The Twyford Hall 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 bio box at the back of Twyford Hall will be restricted, and items belonging to Spectrum Theatre Group have been removed. The new theatre will have new lighting, sound, video and communication systems in place. The Operatons group is currently looking at options for a more flexible tech desk at the rear of the Hall.

The Twyford Hall Supper Room will be downsized, losing about 10 square metres from commencement of construction. The only access will be via the main Beach Street foyer entrance. The Market St end of the Twyford Hall Supper Room will be walled off and converted to a sprinkler pump room. Most chairs and tables will then be stored at the rear of the Hall.

The existing box office will close in early 2020 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.

All bookings must be made via our online Venue Hire form or by calling 6495 7435. The building team will determine if the hire can go ahead and hirers will then receive a request for payment. Payment must be made before the hire is confirmed. 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 by construction work. All other access enquiries should be submitted via our website.