The Civic Hall, pictured in 2009, has not been open to the public for 10 years.
HIGH demand for tours of the Civic Hall as part of the community consultation process into its future has caused Ballarat City Council to schedule another four viewing opportunities next Monday.
An extra four 15-minute openings have been added between 11am and midday.
Ballarat mayor Mark Harris said the high level of interest was a positive sign that people wanted to be engaged with the hall’s future development.
Cr Harris said many long term residents of the city would remember attending balls and dances at the hall.
“Particularly for people who want to retain the hall, that would be the larger group of interest,” Cr Harris said.
“I don’t think we can all work off plans. It does help to see the space.”
Already 141 people have registered to take part in scheduled viewing opportunities of the hall, which has been closed for a decade. The hall will also be opened at 10am, 4pm and 5.30pm on the day.
Click here to see inside Civic Hall over the years
While the foyer, main hall and upper level to the balcony will be opened for escorted groups to view, the lower hall and stage area have been deemed unsafe for inspection.
These areas have been photographed for the community and the photographs will be available to view during the inspections and also at the Ballarat Library.
Public submissions on the future use of the hall close next Friday, May 18.
Cr Harris said the council would then get straight into collating the ideas, before seeking architectural input.
He said the aim was to have a suite of possibilities available in October or November.
Residents can register to inspect the hall by email to