PCYC Parramatta land could fetch up to $30m and secure a new and convenient location for new centre

POLICE Citizens Youth Clubs NSW has guaranteed its new Parramatta centre will be moved to a ­convenient location and the old site is expected to fetch up to $30m.

Parramatta PCYC in Hassal street.

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POLICE Citizens Youth Clubs NSW has guaranteed its new Parramatta centre will be moved to a ­convenient location and the old site is currently on the market and expecting to fetch up to $30m.

The assurances come after Parramatta councillor John Chedid expressed disappointment about not being told of the Hassall St land sale, despite being PCYC Parramatta’s president.

Cr Chedid said he was worried the centre would be moved out of central Parramatta and away from good public transport and schools. “What concerns me (is) no one has even consulted or engaged with our youth about the location,” he said.

“Previously, I wanted it to be part of the Parramatta Stadium, after the recent events and what we’re seeing with troubled youths, I can see the argument now why the building should be closer to the CBD, closer to public transport, Westfield and the schools.”

The Hassall St site went on the market early last month. Expressions of interest close on December 14.

The land is estimated to be worth $20 million to $30 million.

Parramatta Councillor and Parramatta PCYC President John Chedid says the local committee was not notified about the site’s sale and found out through media reports.

Cr Chedid said the Parramatta committee had been left in the dark when it came to making key decisions for the centre’s future.

Commercial real estate company CBRE has been tasked to manage the transactions of the site, as well as other PCYC sites across the state as part of an organisational strategy to sell old ­facilities and build new clubs.

PCYC NSW spokesman Michael Blaxland said Parramatta Council and the committee members had been notified of PCYC’s plans to sell the land.

“They have been party to the dialogue for more than a year,” Mr Blaxland said.

He said a site had not yet been chosen for the new building but the community would be the No. 1 priority.

“In determining a new site we will look at proximity to local communities, convenience and how easily people can get to it,” he said.

“This site at Parramatta is decades old.

“It is not up to scratch. We are going to capitalise on the market to be able to build a state-of-the-art PCYC with more facilities.”.

Mr Blaxland said there were also plans to move PCYC’s head office in Whalan to the new Parramatta centre.