West Tamar Council approved a motion to put Rowella Hall up for sale at the last council meeting after advertising for expressions of interest in leasing the hall. 

Ms Taylor said she had repeatedly suggested that council upgrade Rowella Hall’s heating systems in a bid to increase the usage of the hall in winter.

However West Tamar mayor Christina Holmdahl said the council had a responsibility not to sink council finances into a building that was not being used by the community.

Ms Taylor said she has been involved with the hall committee for about fourteen years and has attempted to use the hall for a number of community purposes.

“I tried getting a Pilates class going and people were having to wear puffer jackets and beanies,” she said.

“I’d be happy to try and facilitate a game’s night but you can’t have people sitting around when it’s cold.”

Ms Taylor said the hall’s bar heaters on the walls were not adequate for keeping the hall warm and she had asked repeatedly for consideration to be put into installing a more appropriate heating system.

“It’s a lovely hall, it has a kitchen, and a bar, and … it’s really nice,” she said.

Cr Holmdahl said council had received no expressions of interest to lease the hall and no response from the community when the motion to sell the hall was put forward.

“If the hall had been utilised to the level where we thought that putting in heating was justified we would have done that, but the reality is the Rowella Hall is the most underutilised hall in our municipality,” she said.

“We as a council have reached out to the community on a number of occasions in the hope that … the community would find ways of using the hall, and it’s come to absolutely nothing.”

Cr Holmdahl said it was hoped that the sale of the hall would see the property used as an alternative focus for the community, with zoning suitable for a retail space such as a cafe, or as a private residence.

She said other halls in the municipality are still well-used by their communities.