Rejuvenated hall for Freemans Reach

Freemans Reach School of Arts has enjoyed a surge of bookings after a NSW Government investment of more than $110,000 transformed it from a dark, potentially dangerous and occasionally waterlogged hall into a safe and accessible venue at the heart of community life.

A new retaining wall behind the hall, roof guttering and drains will help keep the School of Arts hall, north of Windsor, safe from torrential rain after water and silt flooded the interior to a depth of 10 centimetres during heavy rain in March 2022.

The yard in front of the hall has been transformed into a large child-friendly area, with a new farm­ style fence with wooden rails and wire mesh to prevent kids wandering onto busy Blacktown Road.

The upgrades have made the School of Arts a popular venue for children's parties and activities ranging from drama classes to Tae Kwon Do lessons.

Built in 1901, the hall had a dark interior that has been brightened with new LED lights on the high ceilings, freshly-polished floorboards, new paint and a new wall to replace the rusty iron sheeting at the rear.

A paved driveway made the hall accessible for people with mobility issues and made it easier for visitors to unpack food, decorations and equipment for parties and events.

Freemans Reach School of Arts is a Crown Reserve and Crown Lands invested in the hall from the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund.

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said Crown land is held in trust for the community and supports everything from community halls and PCYCs to showgrounds, racecourses, ovals, parks and walking tracks.

"Local halls are one of the centres of community life, hosting neighbourhood Christmas parties, family functions and sporting and community groups that enrich the lives of people of all ages," Mr Kamper said.

"This NSW Government investment has rejuvenated Freemans Reach School of Arts and allowed the hall to continue to contribute to its local community."

Freemans Reach School of Arts Treasurer Glenda Chapman said the upgrades supported a community that had endured the impacts of fires, floods and the pandemic.

"The upgrade helped us restore the spirit of our community after the bushfires, floods and then COVID, and now we're hosting parties where people bring portable pizza ovens or jumping castles," Ms Chapman said.

"The hall looks great with new lighting and an awesome paint job and people love the new fence because their kids can play safely outside. We're now thriving with new bookings for parties and all sorts of community and sporting groups."