The city is staring down the barrel of at least a two-year wait before the new PCYC doors open.
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But the Police Citizens and Youth Club’s chief says it is closer than ever before.
Regional manager Brett Somerville said it was “shovel-ready” following last week’s state-government cash injection, with work on the multi-purpose sporting centre only $10 million away.
However, even if funding was approved tomorrow, the facility would be almost 21 months from completion.
It comes after years of planning, proposals, grant applications and appeals for additional funding to support the $23 million project.
The multi-million-dollar sports hub is set to moving from its current and “inadequate” Gurwood Street location, to Fitzhardinge Street.
Drawing on $10 million from the state government, that was announced on Friday, and an additional $3 million from Wagga City Council, which was pledged 12 months ago, Mr Somerville said it was hoped the federal government would match the state’s grant.
“We would like to think it would all happen nice and quick,” Mr Somerville said. “But it is close now.”
Mr Somerville said the building had always been earmarked as a federal government, state government and local government venture.
He said what had changed was the price tag attached to the state-of-the-art facility, after council said it would fund the venture under the condition all activities in the old building – excluding gymnastics – were maintained, an additional court was built, and 100-odd car park spaces made available.
Mr Somerville said this increased the previously predicted $18 million infrastructure to $23 million.
With $13 million now secured, he said the next step was to apply for Commonwealth-funded grants.
“Four years ago we began the push to move from Gurwood Street,” Mr Somerville said. “We’re now a three-month tender away from starting on an 18-month build.”
Despite the positive outlook, Labor spokesman for Daniel Mookhey said after a 12-month push, last week’s funding announcement still fell at least $5 million short.
“The state government has had three different plans to spend $2 billion on Sydney stadiums in the past 12 months,” the spokesman said.
“It beggars belief the state government couldn’t find an extra few million dollars for Wagga’s PCYC.”
