Work is underway on the demolition of Pioneer Hall in MacCabe Park.
External demolition work has started today, Thursday 28 October, on the dilapidated Pioneer Hall on the eastern edge of MacCabe Park in Wollongong.
Over the next week, crews will carefully pull down and remove the building before the site is prepared for the laying of new turf.
This phase of works follows the internal works to remove contaminated materials like window frames, which had been painted with lead-based paint.
“This is a bittersweet moment for some people in Wollongong as I am aware of those in the city who have fond memories associated with their youth and social activities like concerts that happened in the hall,” Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown said.
“However, while memories are important, this building is no longer fit for purpose, and its demolition provides the opportunity for Council to increase the amount of green space in our city centre.”
Built in the 1950s, Pioneer Hall has been closed since 2020. Located on Council-owned land, the facility was handed back to Council in 2021 by the Wollongong Pioneer Hall Association (formerly the Wollongong Pioneer Hall Trust).
The demolition of the hall comes as Council is seeking tenders for the design and construction of a new regional-scale skate park within MacCabe Park. The tenders close on Tuesday 3 November at 10am.
“There are exciting things happening in MacCabe Park and over the coming years it’s really going to look like a very different space and one that invites people to skate, ride, relax and reflect,” Cr Brown said.
While the works to Pioneer Hall are focused on the removal of the roof sheeting today, the demolition will continue over the coming week.
