The Narrandera Shire Council will not be seeking any further community input on the future of the old clubrooms at the Narrandera Sportsground and has made a decision demolish them.

Based on the information currently at hand Council resolved to demolish the building (pictured) using funds allocated for that purpose.

Cr Tracey Lewis recorded her vote against the motion, which was carried at last month’s meeting.

Council’s Deputy General Manager Shane Wilson said the building had served the community for many decades, initially as changerooms and more recently as clubrooms and had been used by many groups and people over that time, to which the building holds different meaning and potential opportunity.

Based on the known interest in the facility, he recommended to Council that the community be given the opportunity to make representations via a consultation process and the Council could then consider the broader views and options for the clubrooms.

The Council’s General Manager George Cowan and Mr Wilson met previously with the executive of the Narrandera Imperial Football & Netball Club (NIFNC) and Narrandera Lizards Rugby League Club to discuss the future use of the building.

However, given the potential greater community interest, they proposed that community consultation be undertaken over a six-week period in which all potential options and whole of community preferences could be sought.

Mr Wilson said the NIFNC had occupied the clubhouse at the Narrandera Sportsground under an exclusive agreement with Narrandera Shire Council.

“The licence has a 20-year term and was entered into on March 21 2016; however this licence ceases upon the completion of the new facility. The current licence makes it a requirement for the NIFNC to return the building to a similar condition as when the licence was first entered, which is expected to be a substantial amount of money.

“The current building is in an aged condition and the lower floor area has not been used for many years. The clubrooms area is in poor condition, with major repairs required to bring it up to what would be expected for such a facility in these times,” Mr Wilson said.

It was estimated that the cost to bring the building to a suitable standard for continued use would be in the realm of $100,000 which was considered a substantial over-capitalisation of this asset.

A potential variety and number of submissions were anticipated from the community but it was felt there was a need for a single decision to be made.

Council was faced with two options in regard to the old building:

• Undertake the community consultation as detailed within the report, or

• Choose not to seek community input and make a decision based on the information at hand.

Mr Wilson said many potential options were available to replace the existing building including a spectator viewing pavilion and storage area (pictured).