THE WESTGATE COMMUNITY TRUST (CANTERBURY)
Building Community In Canterbury
Building Community In Canterbury
Welcome!
Our mission, as The Westgate Community Trust, is to preserve, refurbish, and manage this historic building as a community centre to serve the needs and interests of the present and future residents of our city, and in the process, strengthen community spirit.
The Trust has grown out of the Save the Westgate Hall Facebook site. It is nonpolitical and does not discriminate. It is open to all who agree with its objectives and would like to be part of a team working to save the Hall for our city to enjoy. There is no membership fee, although donations towards the project development fund are welcome. Please see our Donate page.
Sadly, over the decades, management costs have rendered the 100-year old building a drain on city resources, a situation which has recently prompted Canterbury City Council to consider demolition the only viable solution for plugging a budgetary hole. However, we are offering the Council alternatives, including asset transfer to the Trust with the ultimate aim of making our community centre self-sustaining. If successful, we will join the ranks of hundreds of similar community-run organisations nationwide.
As community lies at the heart of our project, answering our online survey will help us develop programs that support your interests and needs. Emailing us your ideas by filling out the form on the contact page is another way you can shape what the Trust offers.
Current and planned activities at the hall are listed under Events.
The Westgate Hall's location in a conservation zone reminds us that it is a landmark of 20th century Canterbury. Conversations with local residents over the past weeks have revealed memories associated with it run deep, anchoring the life experiences of many in the community. Witnesses of the Hall's history, past and present, we encourage you all to share your memories on our Stories page.
With heritage and conservation in mind, we will make every effort to refurbish the Hall with minimal cost to the environment and the community. Refurbishment will improve its appearance and, consequently, the building's contribution to the character of the area. Old photographs show that the Hall had large windows and attractive contrasting brick detailing that have been painted over in recent years. Soundproofing and energy efficiency will also be priorities.
Reading the biographies of our members reveals what a diverse group we are. Some of us are longtime Canterbury residents, others, Canterbury newcomers. All of us are passionate that the Westgate Hall should continue to play its role as a gathering place and focal point for city residents and users, where all ages can meet, work, and play. It will be an island of stability as the city weathers the economic and demographic pressures of the next decades.
What is for sure, we, the members of the Trust, are inspired by the way in which we are forging new friendships as we develop ideas and put them into action. The process of saving the Westgate Hall is already building and strengthening community.
Please join us!
Architect's Proposal
Sustainability Consultant Paul Mallion (Conker Conservation), Conservation Architect Tim Ellis and Illustrator Kathryn Siveyer have created this three-dimensional image of how the Hall could look with a bit of work. Click the image to have a closer look!
The Westgate Hall is the last community space remaining within Canterbury's city walls.Sustainability Consultant Paul Mallion (Conker Conservation), Conservation Architect Tim Ellis and Illustrator Kathryn Siveyer have created this three-dimensional image of how the Hall could look with a bit of work. Click the image to have a closer look!
Our mission, as The Westgate Community Trust, is to preserve, refurbish, and manage this historic building as a community centre to serve the needs and interests of the present and future residents of our city, and in the process, strengthen community spirit.
The Trust has grown out of the Save the Westgate Hall Facebook site. It is nonpolitical and does not discriminate. It is open to all who agree with its objectives and would like to be part of a team working to save the Hall for our city to enjoy. There is no membership fee, although donations towards the project development fund are welcome. Please see our Donate page.
Sadly, over the decades, management costs have rendered the 100-year old building a drain on city resources, a situation which has recently prompted Canterbury City Council to consider demolition the only viable solution for plugging a budgetary hole. However, we are offering the Council alternatives, including asset transfer to the Trust with the ultimate aim of making our community centre self-sustaining. If successful, we will join the ranks of hundreds of similar community-run organisations nationwide.
As community lies at the heart of our project, answering our online survey will help us develop programs that support your interests and needs. Emailing us your ideas by filling out the form on the contact page is another way you can shape what the Trust offers.
Current and planned activities at the hall are listed under Events.
The Westgate Hall's location in a conservation zone reminds us that it is a landmark of 20th century Canterbury. Conversations with local residents over the past weeks have revealed memories associated with it run deep, anchoring the life experiences of many in the community. Witnesses of the Hall's history, past and present, we encourage you all to share your memories on our Stories page.
With heritage and conservation in mind, we will make every effort to refurbish the Hall with minimal cost to the environment and the community. Refurbishment will improve its appearance and, consequently, the building's contribution to the character of the area. Old photographs show that the Hall had large windows and attractive contrasting brick detailing that have been painted over in recent years. Soundproofing and energy efficiency will also be priorities.
Reading the biographies of our members reveals what a diverse group we are. Some of us are longtime Canterbury residents, others, Canterbury newcomers. All of us are passionate that the Westgate Hall should continue to play its role as a gathering place and focal point for city residents and users, where all ages can meet, work, and play. It will be an island of stability as the city weathers the economic and demographic pressures of the next decades.
What is for sure, we, the members of the Trust, are inspired by the way in which we are forging new friendships as we develop ideas and put them into action. The process of saving the Westgate Hall is already building and strengthening community.
Please join us!
web by Mykl