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Links with past to be maintained
16 July 2008 As the Warialda Multi Purpose Service nears completion, it is also time to say good-bye to the old hospital building. For some this will be sad, but for others it is not a moment too soon. The 1895 part of Warialda Community Hospital is recognised as having historical significance and in recognition of this sections of the front of the hospital will be carefully dismantled, so that the sandstone blocks and arch can be incorporated as part of the new Multi Purpose Service (MPS) gardens. Warialda Health Service Manager Sharon Baker said exhaustive attempts have been made to investigate retaining more of the original hospital, but this has proved uneconomic and unsustainable. "We understand that some people will be sad to see the old building go, but it’s time is really at an end. The maintenance costs are simply too much for us to sustain," she said. "The best way for us now to maintain links with the past is to keep the arch of the original hospital, with it’s sandstone ‘keystone’ and corbel with lettering AD 1895, timber window, and salvage the remaining sandstone blocks from footings and steps for use in the new gardens." Hunter New England Health Capital Works Manager Stewart Leeman said when the plans were developed, the Health Service obtained Development Application approval to demolish the current hospital. "However, we were keen to investigate how we might be able to incorporate the old with the new, even though we had no specific plans for the use of the old part of the hospital. "Since then, our investigations have shown that we will need to construct a $187,000 retaining wall if we want to keep part of the building – and that is before we do any restoration work on the roof and the rest of the building to make it fit for any new purpose. "We’ve consulted with the community and people have indicated that the most valuable part of the building is the façade and the sandstone blocks, and these we can manage to keep," Mr Leeman said. In the meantime, everyone is getting very excited about the new MPS nearing completion. "Feedback from staff, aged care residents and community members has been very positive," said Mrs Baker. "Everyone is looking forward to the convenience and space afforded by the new facility, which is due to be completed in the next few months," she said. Staff are currently running a fundraising event where members of the public have been invited to purchase a paver which can be engraved with either your family name, organisation or in memorial to a loved one. They cost $25.00 for a standard paver, or more depending on size ordered. "These pavers will then be incorporated into the courtyard area of the new MPS building," Mrs Baker said. "A portion of the purchase cost will then be donated towards the helipad fund. "Please feel free to drop into the hospital where a display is situated in the front foyer, where orders can then be placed. "I’m sure there are a lot of local people with memories of this old hospital, and it would be great to recognise these in some way," Ms Baker said.
Contact: Kay Cope
Phone: 6776 9817
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