Residents have panned a proposal to demolish Williamstown Senior Citizens Centre as part a long-term plan for Dennis Reserve.
A report to Hobsons Bay council recommends the centre, used by numerous community groups, be decommissioned by December and demolished early next year to create a gateway to the reserve.
Concerns have also been raised about the council’s proposal under the plan to build two more tennis courts within the decommissioned women’s bowling area.
Centre user Wendy Clarke said the council had consulted the community only on what to do with the women’s disused bowling green.
“There hasn’t been any wider community consultation about knocking down a building that is part of Hobsons Bay’s social history,” she said.
A report to council states that the centre’s external walls are cracking and rotating, indicating foundation movement.
A geotechnical report recommends underpinning the building with deeper footings to stabilise the walls.
The cost to repair the building is about $900,000, while the cost of replacing it is about $1.2 million.
Hobsons Bay community wellbeing director Peter Hunt said the council had been in discussion with the centre’s users for the past six months about alternative premises.
“We have been very active in our discussions and consultation with user groups,” he said.
“We’ve explained in detail the reasons why the building needs to be removed.”
The plan for Dennis Reserve supports a proposal by Williamstown Tennis Club to build and fund two tennis courts within the women’s bowls area.
Bonnie Gelman, who collected about 170 signatures on a petition calling for the disused bowling green to become public open space, said the council should do its best for the greatest number of residents.
“Having another tennis court on the ladies’ bowling club site does not benefit the greatest number of residents – the elderly, those with disabilities, small children,” she said.
“It’s sad that Hobsons Bay council appears to have been persuaded by Tennis Australia that a tennis court is better for all residents.”
The plan was to go before Tuesday night’s council meeting but was deferred pending a meeting with all interested parties.
