The invitation-only event is set to include representatives of the PCYC membership, including gym users and youth participants. Politicians of all shades have been invited, including Josh Burns MHR, Rachel Westaway MLA and Senator Steph Hodgins-May. Local council, state bureaucracy and police are also on the guest list.
The stated purpose of the event is to ‘collaboratively develop and secure an urgent, sustainable funding solution from the Victorian State Government, to explore funding opportunities from the Australian Federal Government, Philanthropic, or other sources, to ensure the future viability and ongoing operation of the St Kilda PCYC facility and its essential youth and community programs’.
TWISK understands that the PCYC Board and CEO are involved in a range of efforts to seek funding to keep the St Kilda program going while the organisation seeks to establish a broader statewide service akin to that operated in NSW and Queensland.
But the shock news of the possible sale of Inkerman Street (now on paused) and the ‘hasty’ closure of the community gym has alienated many of the local participants.
TWISK understands that, despite reservations, representatives of the ‘membership’ will be attending the meeting in good faith. Without pre-empting the meeting, key participants said they are keen to see the gym re-open, youth programs to be revitalised and the Inkerman facility to stay open.
In essence, the non-board members don’t see why ‘their’ gym and facilities should be sacrificed for a lofty dream of a Statewide PCYC.
But in the eyes of the board, the fact remains that without an injection of funds, the only thing standing between them and insolvency is sale of the property.
The meeting is scheduled for Thursday.
In boxing terms, there are a few rounds yet to go in this event.
Watch this space.
