A new concrete block extension will be attached to the toilets at the eastern end of the existing building.

The $250,000 promised by the incoming NT Government for the Katherine Sports and Recreation Club will instead be spent on the Don Dale pavilion at the sportsground.

Katherine Town Council is expected to sign off on the switch in plan at a special meeting tonight.

The grant was promised by incoming Katherine MLA Sandra Nelson during last year’s election campaign.

Labor had identified a need in Katherine for an “all-purpose community centre” given the town has no town hall in a traditional sense.

A government investigation of the former sports and recreation building found the $250,000 would not sufficient to restore the building for the purpose promised during the election campaign.

The NT Government has now placed the Giles Street building and two hectares of land on the market and it is expected to fetch much more than $250,000 set aside for the community centre.

It is expected the building would be demolished as part of a successful private development.

Registrations for the expressions of interest process have closed and there has been no public disclosure regarding the panel the government was to establish to “evaluate EOIs received with a view to shortlisting proponents to participate in a secondary detailed proposal stage”.

“The site was originally established as a Commonwealth Works Social Club, however most recently operated as a sporting facility to host local sporting events, and includes club rooms, carpark and various ancillary buildings, as well as a rectangular sports field. At present however, the site is not utilised and the facilities are in considerable disrepair,” government documents state.

“Lot 3017 overlooks the Katherine River corridor and is within close proximity to the centre of Katherine.  The site presents an opportunity for development for a range of uses that recognise the history of the site and acknowledges its surroundings; and complements other projects within Katherine that aim to reconnect the township to the river corridor. “ 

Documents being presented to the council meeting tonight show the extension of the pavilion would have matching reinforced concrete blocks, two storage rooms and be located at the eastern end of the pavilion.

Also, council will tonight be asked to sign off an on $200,000 grant from the Department of Tourism and Culture to relocate the campdraft and rodeo arena at the showgrounds.

The money was committed by the previous government to improve infrastructure at the showgrounds.

The relocation is expected to improve road safety for pedestrians and heavy vehicles, improve access and enable future growth.