Geraldton sporting organisation poised to take over Spalding community centre

A Geraldton sporting organisation is poised to take over the Spalding community facility, with council to vote on the future of the centre on Tuesday. The Mitchell Street Community Centre has been leased by the WA Centre for Rural Health for the past five years, with the facility acting as a hub for local health services, school holiday programs and other community initiatives. WACRH in January informed the City of Greater Geraldton it was not interested in entering into a new lease agreement, but would be supportive of Geraldton Sporting Aboriginal Corporation taking over the lease. “We have worked collaboratively with GSAC in the centre over the past five years and their role in the building enhances the cultural safety of the building and we feel is a strong beacon for inclusion,” a spokesperson told the City. A report presented at the March pre-meeting agenda forum recommended council award the lease to GSAC, with City chief executive Ross McKim saying the centre could fall into disuse if a new agreement was not finalised. “It is always a concern of officers that we have facilities that are not being utilised. This is a very popular community centre and we were encouraged that the GSAC have been interested in taking over,” he said. Mr McKim said council could decide to call for expressions of interest in taking over the lease, but there was no guarantee another lessee would be found. “If the council had to take over the management of the facility, it would be a lot more expensive,” he said. The proposal report also warned of the “potential for loss of community programs delivered from the venue” if the expression of interest process was unsuccessful. “Reduction or loss of community programs and services in Spalding presents a risk of reputational damage to the City,” the report said.