By Dominique Tassell
Dalveen Sports Club has written to Southern Downs Regional Council requesting that they consider funding the supply and installation of a new master keyed locks and associated infrastructure to Dalveen Hall, and the supply and installation of egress door hardware for the building to comply with Fire Safety standards.
Nathan Parkes, President of the Dalveen Sports Club, wrote a letter explaining the need for the updates and the importance of the hall to the community.
Nathan wrote that “the Dalveen Sports Club, and in particular, the Dalveen Hall, is a social hub within our local and broader community.“
“With bushfires, drought, and constant threat of Covid-19, it has been a difficult time for many in our community as well as other across the Southern Downs.
“As a result of the community members who generously volunteer their time to keep it running, our hall plays a vital role in strengthening community resolve and resilience.
“For some, it is the primary source of social interaction. Following the Covid-19 lockdown, our Friday night gatherings have regularly attracted 50 people or more.
“The Club has managed to remain profitable and keep prices affordable for our community, despite an extended period of lost income.
“This is a real testament to the resilience of our club, the Dalveen and broader community that support it.
“The Dalveen Hall is also a council-recognised safe place which can be used in the event of natural disaster, or by QLD Fire and Rescue/NSW Fire and Rescue as an incident control point and staging area given its proximity to the state border.“
Nathan emphasised that though events like movie nights and Friday night dinners generate a small income for the club, it is their policy to provide these functions at an affordable price.
He stated that after operating costs are deducted, profit margins are small and all profits are invested back into the hall and local community.
“We are conscious of the fact people across our region are doing it tough, both mentally and financially,“ Nathan wrote.
Nathan listed a number of ways the Dalveen Sports Club has fundraised and secured grant funding for numerous upgrades and projects for the hall.
These works have included new air conditioning for the building, a new kitchen facility, new toilet facilities, solar for the hall roof, installation of a movie projector, sound system, and sound absorption curtains for movie night, and rainwater tanks.
Nathan stated that “hall security and safety remain an issue for the Dalveen Sports Club“.
“Hall security has been compromised recently when door locks have failed“, he said.
“Adding to concerns, our bi-monthly movie screenings have been sold out with more than 80 people in attendance prompting an internal review of hall fire safety standards.“
This review prompted the club committee to look for ways to upgrade the building to comply with current fire safety standards.
As lessor of the building, Dalveen Hall is requesting that council fund the new locks so that council’s asset can be safeguarded, and fund the supply and installation of egress door hardware for the building to comply with Fire Safety standards.
In the Dalveen Urban Design Framework, the hall was identified as a priority for the community.
improve and upgrade community meeting spaces and support local community groups
Nathan stated in his letter that the hall is the “community heart” of our village and home to an active and proud community.
Nathan stated that “it is hoped that this might be the first step in an active partnership with Council that see the goals and objectives of the Urban Design Framework collaboratively achieved“.
Dalveen Hall is currently leased by Council to The Dalveen Sports Club for 99 years.
The next Dalveen Film Night is on 28 August, with tickets going on sale on 5 August. The movie shown will be Yesterday, a movie where the world, bar some, suddenly forgets about the Beatles.
