Peregian Springs recreation club unused as Aveo breaks silence

A developer has opened up on options on the table after residents were shocked at the sudden closure of a Sunshine Coast community club.

A community leader says Peregian Springs residents fear the locked-up recreation club at the Ridges will become a “drug den” if it stays unused.

An Aveo spokeswoman said the developer was not planning to redevelop the facility and was considering implementing a “user pay” option.

Principal body corporate chairman Roger Cook said he had not heard from Aveo since the developer shut the recreation club at the Ridges on September 23, 2022.

“There’s been absolutely no communication to us or our lawyers,” he said.

The closure followed a body corporate vote that rejected a transfer of ownership of the recreational lot from Aveo to the body corporate.

Mr Cook said many in the community were “disappointed and frustrated” the facilities were unusable.

The Ridges principal body corporate chairman Roger Cook. Picture Contributed

He said the developer had issued the final invoice to September 23, 2022, so the body corporate had stopped paying for it, but the silence from the developer was causing concern.

“Are they going to give us a new offer?” Mr Cook said.

“Are they going to board it up? Will it go unused and is it going to become a drug den?

“Are they going to try and get permission to pull it down and build on it?”

The principal body corporate chairman said there were also some community members who were happy it was closed.

“There are people who didn’t use it and they’re delighted their fees are reduced,” Mr Cook said.

The swimming pool at the Ridges recreation club.

An Aveo spokeswoman said Aveo was “surprised” the motion for the transfer of ownership did not pass a vote.

“However, Aveo is respectful of the process and the outcome of the vote, given that number of residents voted against the transfer,” she said.

“Aveo is not looking to redevelop the facility and has prioritised the consideration of next steps for the recreational facility, which may include a user pay option.

“We are mindful that the recreational facility is currently closed, and we want to provide certainty for the community in relation to the facility’s future.”

The spokeswoman said Aveo had “worked collaboratively” with the body corporate for a year on the transfer of ownership terms.

“Aveo provided a number of concessions in its negotiations with the body corporate, which included four extensions of the termination date of the agreement, which resulted in Aveo incurring additional operational costs to keep the facility open during this time,” the spokeswoman said.

“Aveo also proposed to transfer the recreational facility for no purchase price.

“Extensive negotiations occurred with the PBC (principal body corporate) working committee, which included negotiating the commercial terms of the transfer.”

She said the body corporate was entirely responsible for the communicating with Ridges owners and managing the voting process.

“Aveo did not vote in any capacity during this process,” the spokeswoman said.