Yass Valley Council has given Yass Gymnastics three months’ notice of termination of its licence for use of Yass Showground’s Sports Stadium.
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The council told Yass Gymnastics it must leave the stadium by November 27, 2018. This would free the space for its intended public use.
Yass Gymnastics was granted the licence after the roof of the Drill Hall was significantly damaged by a storm in October 2017.
Clause 16 of the licence stated that within two months of the licence commencement (May 4, 2018), the sports group must show it had found an alternative location.
Michelle Vitler, owner and teacher of Yass Gymnastics, told the council after the two months that the business had made several attempts to secure another location, but without success.
Ms Vitler said finding a location that supported its big equipment and enough height for jumping and tumbling was difficult.
The council gave more time to Yass Gymnastics, but still no progress was made.
The council has since decided Yass Gymnastics did not meet the licence terms and, as such, could terminate the licence with one month’s notice.
Ms Vitler said finding a location that supported its big equipment and enough height for jumping and tumbling was difficult.
The council has offered Yass Gymnastics to move back into the Drill Hall at a rate of $1 per year, versus the $440 per week at the stadium, on the condition it is responsible for building maintenance and outgoings.
The council said it had worked hard to identify land opportunities and that several groups had expressed interest in use of the stadium.
However, Ms Vitler said the group could not return because it had outgrown the building; and because of the building’s condition, including asbestos and a damaged floor it would have to fix.
The council is putting up the insurance money to fix the roof of the hall.
This and its offer of the hall, however, is conditional of a detailed asbestos report.
The council said it had worked hard to identify land opportunities and that several groups had expressed interest in use of the stadium.
Ms Vitler has met with the council to discuss options for new land and is now working with a local willing to subdivide a block.
She said it would add costs to the business to subdivide, rezone the block and get council approval, however.
Ms Vitler said it could be possible for her kindergarten and fun gym programs to run out of a normal hall, but not the national squad.
