The council general manager has described the $3 million purchase price for land at the Goulburn Workers Arena as a "good deal" for the local hockey fraternity.
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The council has exchanged contracts on the purchase of land at the south Goulburn hockey complex, following negotiations with the Workers Club.
Councillors endorsed the deal at their meeting in early November.
Council general manager Warwick Bennett said it followed tough negotiations between the parties over about one year.
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Asked for the council's valuation on the parcel, Mr Bennett said he could not recall but undertook to supply this information.
"There were valuation extremes ranging up to $4.2m so we had a negotiated deal," he said.
Mr Bennett was referring to the fact that the Workers Club also sought a valuation on the 3.3 hectares that was initially proposed for sale. Last February, he described that figure as being "poles apart" from the council commissioned valuation. Discussion on the valuations took place in closed session due to the commercial information.
Since then, the agreed purchase area has changed. Mr Bennett said the $3m price did not include the existing car park.
"The Workers Club did not want it in the final agreement because they wanted to retain it for their activities (businesses) at the rear of the site," he said.
The Post has requested the council's valuation on the new area and its size. The latter was not detailed in council minutes following the November 3 meeting.
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It includes the two existing synthetic hockey fields, land on the Finlay Road frontage for a 132-space car park and a portion at the rear for a new amenities block. An existing amenities block will also be upgraded.
"I think it was a good deal for the community because including the land purchase we will spend about $7m up there," Mr Bennett said.
"A greenfield site (which the council was previously considering) would have cost $10 million."
The state government last month granted the council $3.8m to upgrade the fields to national competition standard.
The council is funding the purchase itself and the remaining $200,000 will come from Goulburn Hockey Association.
Separately, the council will enter into a licence agreement for the use and maintenance of the main access, Sports Way, and maintenance of the existing car park.
Tenders have been called to upgrade the fields' lighting system to a high standard and to refurbish the second field to national level. These closed on December 8.
The Hockey Association has been using one field for several years. The Workers Club had declined to refurbish the second one, saying it was not a financial priority. President Nadine Ward previously said it had been particularly difficult to balance game scheduling.
But the council's purchase and state grant will change all that.
Mr Bennett said he hoped all work would be finished in 12 months.
"We are also working with Crookwell because they have some of the best grass fields in Australia out there," he said.
"We'll get both (Goulburn) fields upgraded to a very high national standard and work in closely with Crookwell to get large tournaments into the region."
The sale is expected to be finalised in April following the site's subdivision.
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Louise Thrower
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
If you have a story to tell, drop me a line at louise.thrower@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0418 229 678.
