After being left in the dark by the State Government for years, PCYC Parramatta is hopeful its plans for a $17 million club at Bankwest Stadium will be realised in 2021.
The club sold its former premises for $31 million back in 2016, on the basis that it would eventually relocate to a site zoned for community-use at the new stadium.
However, it is said the promise dates back to when Barry O’Farrell was Premier.
Shadow Minister for Sport, Lynda Voltz says nothing is standing in the way for the lease approval, especially after the recent amendment to the NSW Sporting Venues Authorities Bill, which ensures any proposal for residential or commercial hotel development must go through the Parliament.
“There’s nothing stopping the government from handing over that site to the Parramatta PCYC; absolutely nothing,” she said.
“What’s stopping the government unless it is some alternative plan?”
Over the past month the Parramatta region has seen a string of youth-related violent crimes, including most recently the stabbing of a student by a classmate at Arthur Phillip High School.
PCYC Parramatta President John Chedid said incidents, like these, are a timely reminder of what the PCYC is here for – keeping youth crime rates down by engaging with young people.
“That must tell the government something of the great importance of having a fully resourced club that can cater for more youth to minimise the trouble and antisocial behaviour that sadly occurs in our city,” he said.
“In light of what’s happened with COVID-19, one of the key things that we identified is our youth, in a time of crisis, needed a club that they can call home.
“I just would have hoped that our new club would have been redeveloped by now to cater for more youth.”
PCYC Parramatta at its temporary George Street site sees around 300 to 400 young people attend each day. Mr Chedid said the current size of the space they are leasing is far too small.
A Venues NSW spokesperson said the plans are in their final stages.
“Venues NSW is finalising planning for the Bankwest Stadium site which has been set aside for community use,” the spokesperson said.
“We continue to work with key stakeholders to deliver economic and community benefits for the people of NSW.”
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.