The West Lake Macquarie Centre for Music recently reopened its doors, marking a new chapter for one of the region’s longest-standing facilities.

The Rathmines venue underwent a $1.9 million refurbishment, updating its rehearsal spaces, acoustic panels and amenities to better support music, theatre and other community programs.

The upgrade, funded by Lake Macquarie City Council, has transformed the once a Sergeant’s Mess for the WWII RAAF Catalina Air Base into a modern space, while preserving key heritage features.

Western Lake Macquarie Concert Band president and centre secretary Lindy Begquist said the refurbishment honoured a legacy.

“From a sentimental perspective, the bands are relieved that the work they undertook to transform the derelict building in 1994 has been acknowledged b

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