STORY by KATE BASTIANS
THE Inglewood Senior Citizens Club says a decision to start charging it for using the Bob Daniel Community Centre will threaten its goal of engaging elderly people in the community.
Stirling city councillors on Tuesday signed off on a plan for the future direction of its community centres.
The item had been deferred three times after some Autumn clubs resisted moves to make them pay $5 an hour for centres if they used them more than two-and-a-half days a week.
Council staff argued the charge was necessary to free up the centres for other groups, noting Autumn memberships had plummeted over the past decade while running the centres cost some $600,000 a year.
When staff crunched the numbers they found the council was effectively subsidising every Autumn club member $500 a year.
The council resolution includes upgrading technology, office space and the kitchens of four centres – including Bob Daniel.
Crs Leonie Getty and Stephanie Proud gave staff a pat on the back for working through issues with Autumn centres so they were “happy”.
Cr Terry Tyzack wasn’t as satisfied, with the Inglewood Senior Citizens Club not keen on moves to make it pay to use the centres.
“We feel certain that the proposed changes will adversely affect our members and deprive them of the activity we try so hard to provide them with as community support,” club representative Shelia Harrison said.
“We endeavour to provide activity and support for the aging members of our community who would otherwise have to spend their time alone.”
Councillors supported a motion by Cr Robin Furlong for ward councillors to have a chin-wag with clubs about the changes.
Mayor David Boothman said this would help “iron out the local issues”.
Cr Re didn’t think it was fair to charge Autumn clubs who she said had put time, effort and money into the centres.
