Large Community Hall for Hire - Jim Gilbert Hall at Blockhouse Bay Community Centre

The Centre is proud to offer a place to meet, gather, connect and belong for our local community. We are always open to new ideas, events, activities or groups wishing to start up in the Bay.

The Main hall (Jim Gilbert Room) is a large multipurpose space with a stage area and upstairs mezzanine floor. It has wooden floors, lots of natural daylight and has a large catering kitchen with serving area. The space set up is very flexible. The maximum capacity using both downstairs and mezzanine areas is 260.

This hall has two rates:

Weekly Hall Hire: $30 weekdays until 6pm

Function Hall Hire: Weeknights, weekends and public holidays $100 per hour, maximum price $600.

For kids parties, we offer a $100 discount if your booking ends before 2pm. Please use the code BHBKids.

Please make sure you select the correct Bookable Space when checking prices and availability.

If you are booking this Space for a function you will be charged a Bond (Space Protect) of up to $500.00. This will be held against your nominated card from the 4 days prior to your function and released 3 days after your function.

The hall space would be perfect for:

Meetings: large meetings, community events, AGMs, conferences, hustings, networking

Celebrations: weddings, birthdays, parties, anniversaries

Performance & Theatre: Dance, plays, recitals, choirs, rehearsals. The space has great acoustics.

Social & community: Film screenings, quiz nights, talks & presentations, markets & jumble sales, art shows

Included in the space hire is:

• Tables & Chairs

• WiFi

• Heating and fans

• Use of both the main hall and mezzanine seating area

• Use of the kitchen

Available at extra cost:

• Use of the Grand Piano

• Projector & Screen Hire

• Basic Lighting Rig

Catering & Alcohol

You are welcome to self cater or use external caterers in our hall & kitchen space. The kitchen space has a large commercial fridge, large heating racks, grill & oven, microwave, 6 burner gas hob, extractor fan and hot water boiler.

There are two washing up sinks, a dishwasher and a hand washing sink. There are two large serving hatches into the hall.

There are no utensils, pans, crockery, cutlery or glassware provided as part of the hall hire. You or your caterers will need to bring in everything you wish to use to cater your event. The kitchen must be cleaned and left as you found it. Any clean up or prep time must be included in your hireage. All rubbish must be removed.

You may serve but not sell alcohol on our premises. If you wish to sell alcohol, you must procure a licence from Auckland Council and provide proof of this to us.

Using the Hall

You are welcome to decorate the hall, bring in whatever furniture or equipment you need for your event and configure the space how you would like. It’s perfect for weddings and parties, as you can really make the space your own - check out the photos to see ideas. You can use blu-tac or sellotape, but please make sure this is fully removed. No pins or nails please. You must book enough time to decorate and clear down the hall after use. This is why we provide the 1pm- midnight block booking at an affordable rate, so that you and any suppliers have plenty of time to set up. We welcome wedding celebrations from all faiths and partnerships. Please note you cannot have a lit flame as part of the ceremony due to insurance restrictions.

Music & Sound

You are welcome to bring a DJ or host a band or gig in the hall. We’ve hosted some great concerts. The sound needs to be turned down after 11pm and off by Midnight due to neighbourhood noise regulation. DJ’s and bands will need to bring all their kit and any amplified sound equipment.

Access

During our normal office hours (Mon-Fri 9am-3.30pm and evenings by appointment only), someone on reception will be available to let you into the hall. If your booking is outside of these times, you can pick up a key in advance from reception.

The hall is wheelchair accessible, and there are wheelchair accessible toilets. The mezzanine floor level is not wheelchair accessible.