A PLEDGE of $13 million to build a multi-purpose sporting centre Police Citizens and Youth Club (PCYC) has been welcomed.
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On an area of land spanning about two acres of prime real estate at Fitzhardinge Street the multi-million sports hub will draw on $10 million from the state government and $3 million from Wagga City Council.
Member for Wagga Daryl Maguire said the project was going ahead and work was imminent.
This is despite the funding announced on Friday being $5 million shy of the $18 million flagged in a development application, which was approved in January 2017.
“There has never been a better time to live in rural and regional NSW … today is a great example of that,” Mr Maguire said.
Back in 2017 Brett Somerville of PCYC said the return on investment from such a project would be more than $35 million. And a Daily Advertiser survey of 1400 locals revealed 92 per cent were in support of Wagga City Council partly funding the venture.
Wagga Mayor Greg Conkey talked up the ideal location for the facility. He said the council was committed to the project and looked forward to work on the site beginning soon.
“It is going to be a large facility, large block of land in a fantastic central location that can be accessed by everyone,” said Wagga Police Superintendent Bob Noble.
He said would allow Wagga to boast one of the best facilities of this type in NSW.
The accessibility of the site was a highlight of the Fitzhardinge site which will house the new PCYC multi-purpose facility. Superintendent Noble said the facility would be something to be proud of and had a big drawing area.
He said it wasn’t just focused on engaging trouble youth but would also play a role in servicing as a premier facility for other members of the community too. He said police in the region were looking forward to getting involved and it was certainly a great project for Wagga and the wider region.
Minister for Police Troy Grant said PCYC was in a unique position to facilitate meaningful relationships between local youth and police officers. “I know firsthand how invaluable the influence of police, particularly from Youth Command, can be on our young people,” he said.
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