A well-loved Warkworth community venue is set for its next chapter, with plans approved to upgrade Shoesmith Hall and create a new recreation space where the former bowling green once sat.
Nestled in Shoesmith Reserve, a short walk from town, the hall is home to everything from community meetings and classes to celebrations and special events.
Now, the Rodney Local Board has backed improvements that will make the venue easier to access, more comfortable to use and better suited to the needs of the community.
The project includes accessibility upgrades, improved facilities, a new accessible toilet and an outdoor deck, creating more flexible space for groups using the hall.
The old bowling green, which has reached the end of its useful life, will be removed and replaced with a new hardcourt featuring basketball and pickleball facilities. Work will begin soon and is expected to take six to eight months, with no impact on hall use.
Rodney Local Board Chair Guy Wishart says the project is about making sure a well-loved community space continues to serve local people well into the future.
"Lots of people have memories connected to Shoesmith Hall. It's a place where people meet, learn new skills, celebrate milestones and spend time together.”
Silver Oaks Scottish Country Dance Club use the Shoesmith Hall for their dancing classes on Friday mornings.
Club Treasurer Steve Goldthorpe welcomes the decision to retain the hall's floor and says, “Shoesmith Hall has a great sprung floor for dancing on. It is one of the few older halls in the area with a sprung floor which is kind to the dancers’ feet and knees.”
Wishart says the local board wants to make sure the hall stays fit for purpose and is also welcoming for everyone who uses it.
“The addition of the hardcourt will open new opportunities for informal recreation, particularly for young people and families looking for free ways to get active.
"Not everyone wants to join a club or can take part in organised sport. Sometimes people just want somewhere to shoot a few hoops, have a game with friends or give pickleball a go. This will give the community another great space to do that."
The plans were shaped by feedback from current hall users, who highlighted the need for better accessibility and improvements to the building's layout and functionality.
Rodney Community Team Event Facilitator Jess Brown uses the hall regularly for local events and welcomes the planned improvements.
"The upgrade will be an amazing improvement for our Warkworth community.”
The venue is regularly used by community groups, hosting everything from classes and meetings to celebrations and local events.
For locals, it means a better hall for community activities and a new outdoor space that can be enjoyed by a wider range of people.
Detailed design and consenting for the hall will now get underway, with construction expected to begin in the second half of 2027.
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