St Helens Rotunda Reconstruction
Update - 13 December 2024
The fences are down, and St Helens Park rotunda is officially back open to our community.
After months of careful reconstruction, this beloved icon has been restored to its former glory.
The team has meticulously preserved the rotunda's historic charm, including its decorative columns, balustrade panels, lacework, and crazy slate paving. Modern enhancements, such as a new roof, energy-efficient LED lighting, and improved accessibility with handrails and a new pathway leading up to the rotunda, also ensure everyone can enjoy this beautiful space.
We look forward to welcoming you back to this stunning space, just in time for Christmas.
Bookings for the space are now open via SpacetoCo
Progress - November 2024
The reconstruction of this much-loved community landmark has been progressing smoothly since works commenced in June.
After careful deconstruction, historic elements including the decorative cast iron columns, balustrade panels and lace work, seating and other facade features have been salvaged and restored.
Foundation work has been completed and the bulk of the new structure can already be seen, rising up from the work site.
We are currently installing the crazy paving around the rotunda using Mintaro Slate Quarries hand-split natural slate slabs, as well as installing the electrical works for lighting and power inside the rotunda, re-installing the benches, and preparing irrigation for the remediated turf around the site.
The final phase of this careful reconstruction will involve replacing the turf, touching up paint work, and making sure that everything is in working order for community use again.
We're excited to be on track to have the rotunda open again by Christmas!
Project reconstruction details
Reconstruction of the St Helens Park Rotunda began in June 2024 following the completion of project budget and approvals and the appointment of a contractor.
The new rotunda will be located slightly south-east of its current location to minimise impact on the adjacent carob tree’s root system. This shift will also make the structure more prominent from Prospect Road.
Public access will be improved with the installation of a DDA compliant ramp and handrails. New LED lighting will also improve energy efficiency, and compliment the wider St Helens Park lighting upgrade undertaken in April/May 2024.
The rotunda reconstruction remains a priority project due to the significant community benefit it provides and the strong community interest in its restoration.
Project background
The St Helens Park rotunda has been a cherished community asset since the 1970s.
In July 2022, safety concerns led to its closure, due to significant deterioration of its structural steel columns.
Prioritising both public safety and heritage preservation, Council conducted a thorough review process, including detailed investigations to determine the full extent of the rotunda’s structural damage. The review concluded that a full reconstruction of the rotunda was necessary. This complex project will ensure public safety while retaining the historical character of this beloved landmark.
The reconstruction will involve replacing all support columns and their footings. The existing rotunda will be carefully deconstructed, with salvageable materials including the decorative cast iron columns, balustrade panels and lace work, seating, and other heritage façade elements being reused. A new roof frame will be built to meet current safety standards.
Finally, the reconstructed rotunda will also be moved south-east of its current location within St Helens Park, to both maximise community use and preserve the root system of the adjacent carob tree.
Frequently Asked Questions
City of Prospect is committed to preserving Prospect’s unique character and heritage, as outlined in our 2023-2027 Strategic Community Plan. The St Helens Park rotunda is a valued community asset with significant historical and cultural significance.
While demolition was considered, it wasn’t a viable option due to the rotunda’s heritage listing. Additionally, the current state of the structure presents an ongoing safety hazard, and leaving it unrepaired would detract from the park’s aesthetics and functionality.
Reconstruction allows us to:
- Maintain the rotunda’s heritage character
- Address safety concerns
- Restore a beloved community asset.
A thorough assessment of the damage was required before determining the best course of action. Initial inspections didn’t reveal the full extent of the deterioration, necessitating further testing. It was then determined that on-site repairs were not feasible, and a full reconstruction was necessary.
Planning a heritage-compliant reconstruction involved:
- Identifying and reusing salvageable heritage elements, specifically the decorative cast iron columns, balustrade panels and lace work, seating, and other heritage façade elements.
- Selecting a new location within the park that maximises usability and minimises impact on culturally significant trees.
- Incorporating modern building codes and accessibility features like ramps and handrails.
- Minimising costs through diligence in planning and procurement.
The reconstructed rotunda will retain its original character and heritage features while incorporating modern upgrades:
- Improved accessibility with ramps and handrails
- Energy-efficient LED lighting to complement the wider St Helens Park lighting upgrade
- New pathway access
- Compliance with current building codes and standards
- Modern treatments to extend the rotunda's lifespan, such as galvanising structural elements.
The new location will be slightly south-east of the current one, minimising impact on the adjacent carob tree as advised by arborists. This move also creates a more prominent and central location within the park, enhancing user safety and passive surveillance.
With project budgets and approvals finalised, and a contractor appointed, reconstruction of the St Helens Park rotunda is expected to begin in June 2024. Subject to weather and unforeseen delays, the project should be complete by mid-December 2024.
While the rotunda area will remain fenced off for construction, the rest of St Helens Park will remain open for public use.
With project budgets and approvals finalised, a builder selected and contracts nearing completion, reconstruction of the St Helens Park rotunda is expected to begin in June 2024. Subject to weather and unforeseen delays, the project should be complete by mid-December 2024.
While the rotunda area will remain fenced off for construction, the rest of St Helens Park will remain open for public use.
While the initial budget for the St Helens Park rotunda reconstruction was $250,000, it has since increased to $377,000. This increase is due to several factors, including:
- Extra costs associated with a heritage-compliant deconstruction and the careful handling of the rotunda’s historical elements
- Undertaking specialised heritage restoration work, including restoring the cast iron columns, as well as preserving ornate slate work, iron facade elements, and other unique features of the rotunda
- Improving the rotunda’s accessibility and lighting to meet modern standards and community expectations
- General increases in construction and labour costs across the industry in recent years.
Council is committed to responsible spending, and conducted multiple tenders to find the most cost-effective option that still meets the strict requirements of a heritage-compliant restoration. It's important to understand the rotunda's heritage status itself influences pricing, as specialised expertise is needed for this type of work.
Related information
- St Helens Park rotunda reconstruction works to commence this June
- Council meeting minutes - 23 April 2024 (PDF 243.1 KB) - Section 16.2 (pages 20 - 22)
- Council meeting agenda - 23 April 2024 (PDF 18.0 MB)
- Council meeting agenda - 28 March 2023 (PDF 40.1 MB) - Section 10.8 (pages 123 - 182) Section 16.2