Mangaluru: The city Town Hall which was inaugurated on December 29th 1964 is heading for its golden jubilee. It is being dressed up for it since mid September. However, as things stand, it will not be ready by that date.
Mayor Mahabala Marla had earlier said the plan was to renovate the building at a cost of Rs. 1 crore leaving its interior design untouched. However, it is now getting more than a face lift, it is getting a total makeover at a total cost of Rs. 3.5 crore or thereabouts. This includes an inbuilt sound and light system, a false ceiling, air conditioning, an extended stage, a direct entry to the stage and green rooms from the back and a VIP room behind the stage.
The toilets and bathrooms would be renovated with two being provided in the green room for the artistes and four for the public. There would also be an extra green room provided.
The stage will have cyclorama facility (a large curtain or wall at the back of the stage). The screens would be arranged in such a way that the size of the stage could be made larger or smaller.
The hall would also have modern cushioned seats which would reduce from 1,008 seats to about 950 to 960 seats
The hall is a prominent venue for social, political and cultural events in the city. In 2013-14, it saw 317 programmes earning the corporation a revenue of Rs. 12.36 lakh. The hall had been renovated last in 1997.
The corporation has awarded the civil works (building works) to the Nirmiti Kendra at a cost of Rs. 1 crore.