Perth Voice Interactive

Jazz hands are set to clap at the historic Maylands Hall.

Bayswater city council will negotiate a lease with the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra for the hall, which has been empty since the Maylands library relocated to the the Rise on Eighth Avenue.

The jazzers saw off competition from several other interested parties, including ARENAArts and WA Symphonic Wind Ensemble, to be selected as the council’s preferred occupant.

The heritage-listed hall would be used for WAYJO administration, rehearsals, community workshops and performances.

Cr Sonia Turkington says WAYJO has the support to make it a long-term success.

“They have a large number of staff and several corporate sponsors on-board,” she says.

“It ties in nicely with the WA Ballet in Maylands and will be a good fit for the building.”

Council voted that WAYJO be responsible for the management of the building and hiring the hall out to other interested organisations.

Staff estimated it would cost ratepayers around $219,000 to get the hall ready over the next two years for the jazz cats to move in.

WAYJO estimates it could hold 10 concerts a year at the Guildford Road venue, each with an audience of more than 1500.

“The hall has the potential to be a wonderful asset for the local community and we are excited to be in discussions with the city about its future use,” WAYJO manager Fiona Symonds says.

The hall was built in 1920 and used for silent film screenings.

Robert Hatfield had his first permanent picture show at the hall in 1928. A fire during a screening was allegedly caused by Hatfield’s chain-smoking pianist, Jack Jones.

WAYJO wants to pay $10,000 in rent per year.

A report on negotiations will be presented to council in September.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK