By EDWARD RAJENDRA
1 The plan to refurbish Dewan Hamzah, a community hall opposite the Klang Municipal Council in South Klang, will cost an estimated RM5mil. 2 Artist's impression of the Dewan Hamzah with its added two floors and new facade.
THE Klang Municipal Council (MPK) is planning a major refurbishment of Dewan Hamzah to use it as a community hall.
An estimated Rm5mil will be used to turn the 43-year-old hall into a setting for conferences, lectures and even weddings.
“At first, there were suggestions of adding four storeys to the hall, but due to a limited budget, it has been scaled down to an extra two only,” said an MPK councillor, who added that the refurbishment would being in September.
The plans call for a banquet hall on the second floor, while the ground level would house a conference hall that could be turned into lecture theatres with soundproof moveable partitions.
MPK also plans to install its CCTV operations facilities on the first floor.
MPK architects and heads of departments are expected to go through three different artist’s impressions this week to come to a decision on which design to pick.
According to a source, MPK’S radical proposal to commercialise Dewan Hamzah would put an end to indoor games amenities such as badminton, basketball and sepak
takraw courts currently at the site. Sports enthusiasts within MPK are said to be against the proposed refurbishment because of this.
“Dewan Hamzah is outdated and there is a need for brighter and better facilities that can be used to earn some revenue.
“We support the council’s plans but we want the top floor set aside for indoor sporting activities,” said a sportsman working with MPK.
Other community halls slated for refurbishment are Dewan Sukan Pandamaran, Dewan Pandamaran Jaya, Dewan Sukan Andalas, Dewan Meru and Dewan Teluk Pulai.
Klang Consumer Association president Devadass Anjan said the refurbishment could be a good idea due to the age of the building but it must be returned to its original purpose for indoor sports facilities and as a function hall for weddings or community gatherings.
“MPK must not just think about commercialising Dewan Hamzah.
“The focus must be people oriented and the halls must be leased out at reasonable rates,” he said.
Dass, as he is known, added that the refurbished building must be fully accessible to wheelchair-bound users as well as the handicapped.
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