Recreation Hall

Built-in 1890, extended in c1914, remodelled in c1972

The Recreation Hall stands on the western side of the Central Administration and Services Area and was built as a patient's ‘workroom’ with a dining room. It retains an 1890 brick core (hall), south extension (c1914, stage), and north extension (c1914, toilets). Its side verandahs have been replaced with enclosed function rooms and entrances (c1972).  An acoustic ceiling has been installed in the hall, which is not of state-level cultural heritage significance. In 2020 it is used as a hall and is highly intact. ​

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Features of the Recreation Hall of state-level cultural heritage significance also include:

•  Form, scale, materials: symmetrical, rectangular, face brick building with gable roof; partial undercroft level; contrasting brick quoins of walls; timber floor; coved ceiling lined with beaded boards, exposed roof trusses; bracketed eaves;

• Layout: central hall (1890); raised stage (c1914) at south end; southern flanking vestibules and dressing rooms (separate male and female entrances and rooms, c1914, including their c1972 internal fit-outs); side extensions (c1972) with entrances, function and reception rooms, and toilets at the northern end, including their internal fit-outs with tiled walls and terrazzo partitions

• South elevation rose window with tracery and coloured glass (probably 1890 fabric reused);

• Secondary entrances on either side of the south elevation leading into the small wings of the stage area (c1914)

• Proscenium arch (pressed tin), stage gallery and ladder, and curtain/backdrop levers and mechanisms (c1914)

• Projection room at the northern end of the hall (c1972)

• Original (relative to the date of extension) doors and windows including timber-framed and aluminium-framed doors and windows

• Early piano.

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