The warm and cosy vibe at the Mount Community Hall is expanding into the surrounding Mount Maunganui township as people get together to chat, laugh, hold events, sing karaoke and play cards.

The hall, located within the Mount Mainstreet precinct on Maunganui Rd, is owned by members of the Mount Senior Citizens.

'It was originally the Mount Old Folks hall, and then it became the Senior Citizen's Hall, and from there we called it the Mount Community Hall,” says hall committee member Margaret Brough.

Built by Beazley Homes in the 1960s, the purpose of the building back then was ‘to overcome loneliness and offer friendship and happiness to elderly people', which is written on a sign above the stage.

'Beazley Homes were building the Pitau Rd senior village,” says Mount Community Hall vice president Su Hodkinson. 'There's apartments going in there now. This hall was really important to the community.”

Su remembers the Banks family of Banks Ave using the hall for daughter Lindsay Banks' wedding.

'It [also] promoted friendship within the community, for loneliness,” says Margaret.

Mount Maunganui Community Hall member Margaret Brough with vice president Su Hodkinson. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

'It started off with indoor bowls and 500 cards twice a week,” says president Sue Lett. 'The indoor bowls has just recently stopped through lack of players. The 500 is still going but we need to get the word out that people can come along and join in.”

From midday-4pm Tuesdays and Thursdays anyone can come along and play 500 cards.

'All are welcome, any ages,” says Margaret.

'Way back there were very few school halls,” says Su. 'In the 1980s the Mount Primary School would use this hall for their productions.”

The hall features a stage area, suitable for performances and shows. Through double doors is the lounge, which provides a separate meeting place. Both hall and lounge have their own kitchen and bathroom facilities, enabling two separate events to run concurrently. Wifi is also provided.

'Quite a few people have had dance performances. It's amazing what's happening.”

Mount Maunganui Community Hall vice president Su Hodkinson with the recently installed AED unit. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

Margaret says they nearly lost the hall when it was put up for sale after interest fell off. A group of community-minded locals stepped in and stopped the sale.

'We have a wonderful committee,” says Sue. 'And younger ones have come in too, with knowledge, it's been amazing.” When past president Dave Adams died, Sue stepped up into the role.

'He played cards and right from when we took the committee over he put his hand up to be our president.”

The committee has dropped the membership age to 18, opening up use of the hall to a wider community base.

'Because it's community-minded, we want to keep it low cost. So it's only $20 an hour with a bond.”

The hall and lounge together are $40 an hour or each $20 an hour.

To book the hall or lounge, email: mtcommunityhall@gmail.com