Clubs balk at hub proposal

Two historic Greytown sport clubs feel under pressure to move as part of a $9 million sports hub proposal, but they don’t want a bar of it.

A recent study proposed replacing the local Kuranui College’s earthquake-prone gymnasium with a purpose-built facility, with an integrated sports hub and three new sports fields.

Greytown Rugby Club has been happily ensconced at its own nearby facilities for 100 years and does not want to move.

Though the club has a perpetual lease on its current East St location, its rent could soon increase dramatically, putting pressure on its finances.

The land belongs to the community-owned Greytown Trust Lands which charges the club market rent and then gives 95 per cent back in the form of a rebate.

As Greytown becomes a more popular place to live, its land value has increased and so has its rent subsidy. The trust has signalled the rebate arrangement is not sustainable.

Greytown Rugby Club chairman Andy Holmes said the club had no intention of moving. ‘‘Having our rugby facility at a college, 100 per cent wouldn’t work for us.’’

The history and suitability of the current grounds and clubrooms, which had recently been upgraded, was important to their growing membership.

Nearby Greytown Bowling Club is similarly positioned on trust land and has also been put on notice that its rent will increase. The club has been offered a home at a nearby retirement village development, but the club’s committee said this would not be a suitable alternative.

President Brian Phillips said the club had occupied the land for more than a century. A proposal had been submitted to the trust which the club hoped would give it ‘‘security of tenure’’.

Greytown Trust Lands chairman Sid Kempton said whether or not the sports hub proposal went ahead, the trust would still need to consider how it fairly shared its income according to its sport and education strategies.

The proposed sports hub model would enable a more equitable distribution of the trust’s stretched funds.