Iconic building set to go
Gatton Star
GATTON locals have slammed a decision to demolish an iconic building in the town.
Lockyer Valley Regional Council this week announced it would begin the process of demolishing the Gatton Squash Courts building, which includes a large mural to local legend Bob Fifoot.
Long-term Gatton Squash Club member Philip Neumann said the news the former home of the club would be destroyed was “terrible”.
Mr Neumann’s late brother Ian managed the facilities for 10 years while the club was still using them, and he said Ian would have been “gutted” by the decision.
The squash club had relocated from the courts in 2003.
The council bought the building in 2007 to ensure future development in Gatton had land available.
Following this, the club approached the council with the hopes of returning to the facility.
This sparked a near decade-long battle to return, which Mr Neumann said was ultimately a “waste of time”.
“It’s just been like a white elephant,” Mr Neumann said.
Issues with asbestos and the general condition of the facility meant the club was never able to secure a lease.
In June last year, the council sent a letter to the club informing it of plans to demolish the building, bringing the battle to a close.
“We just knew that was the end then,” he said.
Council asset management councillor Janice Holstein said it was “unfortunate” the building and mural had to be removed, but public safety and responsible fund use made it necessary.
“The work required to repair the building would cost more than $850,000 compared to the $185,000 to demolish the buildings,” Cr Holstein said.
Mr Neumann described the whole process as a waste, with the goalposts constantly shifting.
“I feel like we had that many meetings at the council up here with the mayor and deputy mayor,” he said.
“What a waste of our ratepayers’ money. If they’d just said straight up ‘no’ … we would have turned to avenues elsewhere.”