U3A and computer club pip competition for sought after building

Two lucky tennants have been announced for the new, sought after community space that will be built at a southeast Queensland council office.

Redcliffe U3A and Redcliffe Seniors Computer Club were successful in gaining tenancy at Moreton Bay Regional Council new Redcliffe Administration Centre Art Gallery and Community Space Development.

It has been a long road for Redcliffe Seniors Computer Club to find a new home.

The club is one of two groups that will move into Moreton Bay Regional Council’s new Redcliffe Administration Centre Art Gallery and Community Space Development at 1 Irene St.

The computer club, which has been looking for a new space for eight years, will be joined by Redcliffe University of the Third Age (U3A) once contrcution is finished in early 2020.

Both clubs will pay a nominal rent of $1 per annum for the duration of the leases.

The computer club’s president, Gaylene Masters, said she was “so relieved” about the decision.

“It’ll do so much,” Ms Masters said.

“Where we are, there’s no public transport and the majority of us are seniors and some don’t have cars.

“There’s a bus stop just across from the RSL and we’re just down from the shopping centre. People from the U3A can come to us to learn — our business will triple.”

U3A president Tony Nobbs said it would increase their already 1000 plus membership base by 100.

“We have problems with tea rooms and kitchen-type facilities being not the biggest rooms,” Mr Nobbs said.

”It will allow more people and more socialising.

“We’re very grateful.”

There were four applicants for the two tenancy ­positions.

One of the groups to miss out was Moreton Bay Arts Council, which has been operating for 15 years without a home. The council would not say what it had planned for the U3A building at 157 Sutton St while the current Redcliffe Art Gallery will continue its use.