Coimbatore: After remaining abandoned for more than 12 years, the Hamilton Police Club is all set to be restored to its original look, in an attempt to preserve the city's heritage. Being an auspicious day, the restoration work of the 150-year-old club began on Sunday.
The Coimbatore Police has roped in a team of retired Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officials, and a sculptor from Chennai to carry out the restoration of the ancient structure. "We have been asked to re-plaster the walls using ancient lime mortar, repair the pillars, restore the windows and doors in Louvre style, restore the Madras terrace and Mangalore tiles in the porch," said Dandapani S, a retired official of ASI.
While ASI is monitoring the restoration process, a sculptor from Chennai, Rajendran K has been hired to perform the restoration. "I have been allotted four months to complete the process. We will begin with de-plastering the walls, and then move to the first floor to restore the Madras terrace, Mangalore tiles and repair the pillars," said Rajendran. A team of 10 labourers have been deployed to do this work under his guidance.
Retired superintending archaeologist of the ASI, P Sathyamoorthy, said, "We will not be changing the design or using any modern construction material. The entire premises of the club is a heritage structure, and our aim is to restore and conserve the ancient monument." A few days ago, a team directed by the Coimbatore police, had conducted a study of the premises, and suggested the restoration of its original structure.
"We have also suggested that the furniture of the club be retained. After completing the restoration, the building will be a museum of sorts that will be open to the public. The museum will have on display, police uniforms since the British era, arms and ammunition and other similar items," said Dandapani.
On the cost of the restoration process, city police commissioner A Amalraj said that they had estimated a certain amount for each room, but it is likely to get revised as the work progresses. " We will be able to tell the exact expenditure only after the work is over," he said.
The Hamilton Police Club was started on April 15, 1928. But, the building was acquired by a British police officer, F A Hamilton in 1918. As per the records available with the police department, the club was used as a recreation centre and transit point for higher level police officers. Later, in 1951, the Harvey block, one of the three blocks of the building with 16 rooms, was let out for officers above the rank of sub-inspectors.
"In 1998, the club's structure started crumbling. Since then, the rooms in the main building remained closed. However, a few police officers dined in the main hall on the ground floor," said a senior police official requesting anonymity. "The club chef was an excellent cook. Some of the officers who loved his food stopped by for lunch once in a while. In 2004, he returned to his native town and never came back. He died of illness. Since then, the main building has been closed," he added.
The Harvey Block with 16 rooms was used by police officers as a guest house until two months ago, when the police department decided to restore the entire premises.
The Coimbatore Police has roped in a team of retired Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officials, and a sculptor from Chennai to carry out the restoration of the ancient structure. "We have been asked to re-plaster the walls using ancient lime mortar, repair the pillars, restore the windows and doors in Louvre style, restore the Madras terrace and Mangalore tiles in the porch," said Dandapani S, a retired official of ASI.
While ASI is monitoring the restoration process, a sculptor from Chennai, Rajendran K has been hired to perform the restoration. "I have been allotted four months to complete the process. We will begin with de-plastering the walls, and then move to the first floor to restore the Madras terrace, Mangalore tiles and repair the pillars," said Rajendran. A team of 10 labourers have been deployed to do this work under his guidance.
Retired superintending archaeologist of the ASI, P Sathyamoorthy, said, "We will not be changing the design or using any modern construction material. The entire premises of the club is a heritage structure, and our aim is to restore and conserve the ancient monument." A few days ago, a team directed by the Coimbatore police, had conducted a study of the premises, and suggested the restoration of its original structure.
"We have also suggested that the furniture of the club be retained. After completing the restoration, the building will be a museum of sorts that will be open to the public. The museum will have on display, police uniforms since the British era, arms and ammunition and other similar items," said Dandapani.
On the cost of the restoration process, city police commissioner A Amalraj said that they had estimated a certain amount for each room, but it is likely to get revised as the work progresses. " We will be able to tell the exact expenditure only after the work is over," he said.
The Hamilton Police Club was started on April 15, 1928. But, the building was acquired by a British police officer, F A Hamilton in 1918. As per the records available with the police department, the club was used as a recreation centre and transit point for higher level police officers. Later, in 1951, the Harvey block, one of the three blocks of the building with 16 rooms, was let out for officers above the rank of sub-inspectors.
"In 1998, the club's structure started crumbling. Since then, the rooms in the main building remained closed. However, a few police officers dined in the main hall on the ground floor," said a senior police official requesting anonymity. "The club chef was an excellent cook. Some of the officers who loved his food stopped by for lunch once in a while. In 2004, he returned to his native town and never came back. He died of illness. Since then, the main building has been closed," he added.
The Harvey Block with 16 rooms was used by police officers as a guest house until two months ago, when the police department decided to restore the entire premises.