The Devonshire Park Halls are being demolished at Eastbourne’s Devonshire Quarter development to make way for two new practice tennis courts.
The two halls, which were built in the 1980s, will be completely removed by the end of next week (by Sep 28).
They were used for exhibitions and conferences but are no longer needed as the new Welcome Building takes shape. Once complete, this state-of-the-art building will provide conference halls, break out and hospitality areas, the site’s central box office and a fully accessible entrance to the Congress Theatre and Winter Garden, including lifts to every floor.
Councillor David Tutt, Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, said: “Work is progressing well on the stylish new Welcome Building, which will reinforce Devonshire Quarter’s reputation as a premier conference destination.
“The demolition of the Devonshire Park Halls marks another significant step towards the completion of this exciting development which will combine first-rate international sporting, cultural and conference facilities.”
Work to the roof of the Welcome Building is progressing well and the new conference halls in the basement are being fitted out internally.
Meanwhile at the Congress Theatre, specialist audio visual and lighting cables are being installed in the auditorium. Painting of the original listed timber cladding and the ceiling is also underway in the auditorium while new terrazzo tiles, matching the pattern of the original 1960s tiles, are being fitted in the theatre toilets.
Work on the new practice courts will begin in January 2019 so they are finished in time for the town’s international tennis tournament in June 2020.