User:Kafares/sandbox

The Great Hall, originally built as the West End YMCA. In 1889 the architectural firm Gordon & Helliwell was hired to design the YMCA (West End) they have completed it by 1890. The building comprised of a meeting hall, a library and a gymnasium with a running track and a bowling alley. The building was constructed in the Victorian style, the four-storey red brick building featured sandstone accents and a rounded corner tower. In 1912, The Royal Templars of Temperance took over and renovated the building. By 1933 a dance hall was added by the Independent Order of Foresters, a fraternal organisation that had merged with the Templars. From mid to late twentieth century, the Polish National Union looked after the building, publishing a newspaper and offering services to newcomer Polish nationals. Early twenty first century building was named as The Great Hall and became a music and culture venue.