Committee sets target for factory acquisition

Creation of an incorporated body and completion of several studies have paved the way for community fundraising to begin to acquire the Old Drouin Butter Factory building for community use.

A board of directors for Old Drouin Butter Factory Inc has been formed to spearhead the project and there have been professional investigations of the building’s structure and to determine if there is any hazardous material was on site.

Financial and business plans and possible community uses have also been assessed.

As a next step ahead of a campaign to raise $500,000 to buy the property on South Rd, Drouin, a community information evening will be held on Sunday, February 11, starting at 5pm to report on the steps taken to date and discuss ideas for its use.

The board has until about the middle of the year to raise the money.

Owners, the O’Donnell family, have given the community first option to buy the building that board secretary Rhona Hendrick said had been offered at well below its market value.

The board comprises Tim Wills (chair), Jeannie Haughton (vice-chair), Ms Hendrick, Leanne Gooding (treasurer), Vin Bibby, Ellen Burrows, Des Hughes, Sue Osborn, Helen Timbury, Sue Acheson and Judy Farmer.

Ms Hendrick said there had been an encouraging early response to the project from longer term and newer residents since the offer from the owners late last year.

She said the information evening was a great opportunity for people to see what the facility has to offer, the benefits to the town and show their support and put forward ideas.

The building, established in 1908, is close to the town centre and railway station.

It had been used as a butter factory, power station, grain store and fertiliser outlet until the O’Donnell family bought the disused premises 30 years ago and progressively converted it as a mix of café/restaurant, meeting rooms, theatre and art gallery space.

The Old Butter Factory is one of Drouin’s most historic buildings, the façade having National Trust Historic Buildings listing.

Ms Hendrick said it had further potential as a live music, visual arts and community centre with the opportunity to also develop sales points, artists’ workshops and a community garden.