Hall and library balancing act

THE design of the Pakenham hall and library building will have to be on the money because of their close proximity to one another, councillor Brett Owen says.
Cr Owen said the design had to be right to prevent possible noise pollution from the hall affecting the library.
“I’m interested in how a hall will go next to a library,” he said. Cr Owen was concerned that noise from concerts at the hall could disrupt activity in the library.
“We need to have both utilised to the maximum,” he said.
Cr George Blenkhorn said there were many benefits in having the facilities side by side, including not having to duplicate amenities such as kitchens, toilets, heating and cooling.
Councillors recently accepted a tender from Perkins Architects for the design of the building. The design will cost $321,310 (excluding GST).
Cr Blenkhorn said the tender was $70,000 less than any other submission put forward.