$20K stage for Bridport Hall
By Daisy Baker
July 22, 2020
Dorset Council unanimously passed a budget variation of $21,736 on Monday night to fund a new portable modular stage for the Bridport Community Hall, which it’s hoped will be ready for next month’s Tassie Scallop Fiesta.
Bridport Innovations recently approached Council, asking for a new portable or permanent stage for the space.
There was previously a heavy and bulky portable stage in the Hall owned by the Bridport Football Club but moving it was an OHS risk and it damaged the floorboards, so it was not practical and was disposed of 18 months ago.
Director of Corporate Services John Marik said Council has opted for some portable, light-weight modular staging that can be used indoor and outdoor.
The sections of the stage can be arranged to suit the needs of the event and steps and a handrail can be installed where necessary.
“So rather than it becoming something that’s just for the Tassie Scallop Fiesta or the Community Hall, it becomes an asset the community and various sporting groups and community groups can utilise that and save on expensive hire fees,” he said.
Several local builders were approached for the project but due to the tight timeframe and amount of jobs already underway and booked around the region, they declined.
After going out to market, Council chose Victorian-based Select Staging Concepts to deliver the technical specifications for best value.
Cr Nichols and Cr Jessup said they were disappointed that a local builder couldn’t do the job but understood the time constraints and builder availability made it unfeasible.
Mayor Howard said the new stage will maximise the use of the Hall and open up new event opportunities for the town.
“It would be the only hall in the whole municipality that doesn’t have a stage so it does severely restrict what you can put on and have in the hall so it’s pretty important I think for Bridport,” she said.
“It’s also got that added flexibility to take it elsewhere if necessary.”
When not in use, the stage will be stored in the Hall.