QUESTIONS are being asked about the immediate future of the former Katherine Sport and Recreation Club in Giles Street which closed down a year ago.
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Former club member and rugby union stalwart Clinton Booth fears the former club is being stripped of fittings and being prepared for sale.
“Katherine does not have enough sporting grounds it can afford just to get rid of them,” Mr Booth said.
Katherine MP Sandra Nelson confirmed there had been “very early discussions” about advertising for expressions of interest in the building and grounds.
”No final decisions have been made,” she said.
In the run-up to the NT election, Ms Nelson ran an advertisement in July promising “$250,000 to refurbish the building as an all-purpose community centre”.
“After thorough inspection of the building, it has been determined that the building is beyond economical repair,” Ms Nelson now says.
“The commitment was made to establish an all-purpose community centre, under the premise that we would utilise existing government infrastructure to establish an all-purpose community centre.
“We are currently looking for other options to use as a community centre,” she said.
Ms Nelson also said it was important to note that “the land is not zoned Community Purpose (CP) , and never has been zoned as such”.
The club’s board closed the doors of the club in December last year blaming poor governance and a decline in patronage.
The speedy decline in almost $500,000 in cash reserves over four years was also questioned amid speculation and rumour about missing money from the club.
Several sporting clubs, notably rugby league and rugby union, called the venue home and have mostly relocated for competition at least to Town Oval.
Mr Booth said he was worried the building would be demolished and the grounds, prime real estate, sold to a commercial buyer who would build units on it.
“This is for the sporting and recreational interests of Katherine not money for government coffers,” he said.
Mr Booth said the electronic scoreboard had been removed and the lighting was also earmarked for removal.
“These are things members worked hard to get for the club, lots of fundraising went into these items and now they are just being given away.
“There is no reason we can’t stop this process.”
Chris McLennan
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
