A long awaited to improve the entrance of Machynlleth Community Centre have now begun as works at the site have started.
A £146,000 project to improve the entrance of the hall by Y Plas, in Machynlleth have now begun as workers arrived at the site on Monday, September 23.
Organizers behind the project, community group Mach Fringe, have said that the initiative has been in the works for three years, but hope that the start of the entrance renovations will be the first of several enhancements to the facility.
Writing on social media, a spokesperson for Mach Fringe said: “After a three year journey and a few hiccups, work finally begins to make a lovely, fully accessible entrance to our community centre.
“Josh our archaeologist was standing by to see who lay beneath the huge stone and it was just recent rubble.
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“He did find part of the stem of an old clay smoking pipe. A builder from another era probably broke off the stem from his blocked pipe and left it for us to find 150 years later.”
The hall sits alongside the Grade II listed historic building and has been used as offices for Machynlleth Town Council for a number of years but has become dilapidated because of a lack of upkeep in recent years.
Mach Fringe secured funding for the project in May 2024, after years of campaigning to improve the Machynlleth landmark, with the community group hoping that the works will transform the hall entrance into a more inviting area with enclosed level access and fixed seating and planting.
The £146,000 project has been funded by Powys County Council Town Regeneration Department, National Lottery Crona Gymunedol Community fund, Garthgwynion Trust.
At the time of securing the funding for the project, Mach Fringe said: “Thanks to all for help, letters of support, comments and encouragement and Machynlleth Town Council who have supported the idea from the start.
“The large hall alongside Machynlleth Plas was once part of a tourist attraction ‘Celtica’ and has a dilapidated entrance which does not meet the current requirements for access.
“Mach fringe is a local voluntary arts organisation and has been working on the project for over two years. The funding will cover the cost of making an enclosed level access area and new entrance. Fixed seating, planting and recreational opportunities are included in the plans.”
“The long term ambition is also to improve and upgrade the interior.”
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