THE new town hall in Bega is to be called the Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre following unanimous agreement at the council meeting on Wednesday.
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Meanwhile, room names will pay respect to local Indigenous culture and heritage.
The inclusion of the word “commemorative” comes after representations by Bega RSL members.
There had been requests to retain the original name - Bega Memorial Town Hall - but in a report to the council, staff said the old building had been completely removed and replaced by “a state of the art new facility to accommodate contemporary uses”.
Through its memorandum of understanding with the three Local Aboriginal Land Councils, the council is committed to recognising the traditional custodians of the lands and waters of the Bega Valley.
As such, it was proposed the three major mountains of the Far South Coast - Bulawarn (Mount Imlay), Biamanga (Mumbulla Mountain) and Gulaga (Mount Dromedary) - be used for room names, with Merra-winga (place of dreaming) for the auditorium.
In another nod to the RSL, the council agreed that the auditorium bar would be named the Diggers Bar.
“The new building stands proud among the neighbouring Sapphire Marketplace and other buildings around Littleton Gardens, forming part of the greater civic and cultural precinct,” BVSC group manager of community relations and leisure Anthony Basford said.
“It is important that the building is clearly identifiable as a council building and, as such, officers are suggesting that the Bega Valley Shire Council logo be prominently displayed on the facade.”
Councillor Kristy McBain was against having both the name and the logo on the front of the building.
However, her motion to remove the logo failed through lack of a seconder.
Mayor Michael Britten came to Cr McBain’s rescue and suggested the matter of the “logo as a concept be considered to be installed” meaning that the matter would come back to council at a later date.
The council also agreed to exhibit the fees and charges for the use of the civic centre for 28 days.
There is a two-tier fee arrangement covering not-for-profit, community organisations and full fees for commercial use.
The community rates represent a 40 per cent reduction from the full rate, council said.
One aspect that may concern community groups though is lack of access to the kitchens.
The main commercial kitchen will not be available for bookings because as part of the management agreement the venue managers will have exclusive catering rights and utilisation of this kitchen.
There are also a number of additional charges that may be applicable depending on the type of booking.
These could include charges for services such as food and beverage, venue set up, security and audio visual support.
The centre is expected to be completed towards the end of 2015 with a “soft” opening following completion of works and an official opening planned for early 2016.
Once complete the centre will be available for a range of community uses, including meetings, events, conferences, performances, civic events and council meetings.
The newly branded Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre.
What you said…
Some of the suggested names readers submitted via our Facebook page.
It's a Civic Centre and it's located in Bega so how about 'Bega Civic Centre'
John Whyman
The Kevin slater building. No man in the Bega Valley has done more than him
Jamie Austin-Burgoyne
Dave the tree memorial Hall!
Hayden Lytham
The Fortress of Solitude?
Dureece Moyden
The Lamington!
Ian Campbell
The Bega Lego centre!
Annie Chandler
Pixel palace
Trish Knock
How about "What the money was spent on when it should have gone to local roads and important infrastructure".
Emmet Cole