Contract negotiations underway for Golden Age Centre lease

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The Golden Age Centre (aka the PCYC Riverview Function Centre) in Goondiwindi is currently under contract negotiations with a potential new lessee for the management of the facility.

Goondiwindi Regional Council resolved to enter into negotiations with a preferred applicant during its October Ordinary Meeting on Tuesday, following a formal expression of interest process.

Numerous interested parties approached Council after the Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) announced a few months ago that it would not extend its lease of the facility past 30 September 2020. The PCYC originally took on the lease in September 2017 as a one-year contract with the option to extend.

Mayor of the Goondiwindi region the Honourable Cr Lawrence Springborg AM said there were a number of factors still to work through in relation to the contract, and Council would be working in the interest of the region to achieve the best outcome.

“We know what a valued asset the Golden Age Centre is to our community, and so Council has undertaken an expression of interest process based on merit to ensure we get the best, open and transparent results for our region and community members,” the Mayor said.

“Council’s role is ultimately about achieving the best outcomes for our community in terms of the liveability of the region, and using our existing spaces and places to their full potential.

“I think it was important to get the process of new management underway quickly, rather than letting the Centre sit underutilised for any length of time,” Cr Springborg said.

Council is currently taking limited bookings for the hire of the Centre until the end of the year. All bookings must align with COVID-19 guidelines and residents wishing to hire the facility should contact Council directly on either 07 4671 7400 or mail@grc.qld.gov.au.

In June, Council also began community consultation regarding the future of the Macintyre River Precinct, the broader area that includes the Golden Age Centre, the Goondiwindi boat ramp, the River Walk and the Goondiwindi Bowls Club.

The development of the precinct was identified in Council's Visitor Strategy as an area with significant potential to boost the region's tourism opportunities.

“Council has long outsourced the management of the Golden Age Centre, so this is not something new from that perspective and I’m confident that, if successful, the new management will align with the preferred vision for the precinct that the community feedback has expressed so far,” Cr Springborg said.

“While we are still only in the negotiations stage with a potential lessee, we hope to have a further announcement before the end of the year.”

4th November 2020 at 12:00 AM