Plan to relocate Parramatta PCYC to Arthur Phillip High School

A week out from its dreaded closure, desperate Parramatta PCYC volunteers are doubtful its 5000 members will find a new home at a high school after the facility was suggested as a lifeline.

Parramatta PCYC’s closure is imminent.

A week out from its dreaded closure, desperate Parramatta PCYC volunteers are doubtful its 5000 members will find a new temporary home at Arthur Phillip High School after the facility was suggested as a lifeline.

The club will close on Friday, April 12 and its members have been left desperate for answers over its future since it was announced in February it would shut after serving the community for 62 years because of an “untenable financial situation”.

The club, which is an independent non-profit charity, sold its Hassall St building for $31m in 2015 to make way for a multistorey apartment complex and relocated to 107 George St in 2016.

Parramatta state Labor MP Donna Davis has pushed for the high school at Macquarie St to temporarily house PCYC activities for vulnerable youths.

“The community has advocated to us strongly, because it does have such a strong and long connection with Parramatta, and we are very bitterly disappointed that that decision was taken to sell that site,’’ she said.

Parramatta PCYC could find a home at Arthur Phillip High School. Picture: Richard Dobson

“Now we’re all suffering with that site having been sold because there is this looming, dark cloud over the future.’’

Business Western Sydney executive director David Borger agreed the school should be used and said Parramatta had several existing assets that could provide “a greater community benefit”.

“Arthur Phillip High School, for example, is a $225m high rise school, the most expensive in the state, and it’s only used during school hours,’’ he said.

“Arthur Phillip High School seems to have very little community access and receives very low public bookings and revenue compared to other schools.’’

The PCYC has a long and proud history in Parramatta. Picture: Justin Sanson

He said renting the hall, tech rooms or other spaces would provide an opportunity for the school to gain an extra income and provide a tangible solution for the PCYC to continue operations for its at-risk youth.

But Parramatta PCYC committee member Frances Balana is not confident the organisation’s management was taking solutions seriously.

She said PCYC NSW chief executive Ben Hobby told committee members seven “fit-for-purpose” emergency premises in Parramatta had been inspected for a temporary use but would not disclose where they were.

The committee also proposed to move into part of the Octagon building at 110 George St for the next three years until it is demolished for a hotel.

Mrs Balana said the rent would be an affordable $180,000 a year – $420,000 a year cheaper than the existing rent paid in the same street.

Parramatta PCYC volunteer Frances Balana in the pink jacket and president John Chedid.

She said police and coaching staff were confident the former office block could host activities but management failed to support the idea.

Another suggestion is to shift the premises in a warehouse near the Vinnie’s shop at Church St, North Parramatta but “nothing has happened’’ since the idea was raised.

Parramatta volunteers are still seeking answers about how the $31m from the sale of the Hassall St club will be used.

“If they are a charity and they are not-for-profit nothing is confidential,’’ Mrs Balana said.

“There’s a lot of smoke and mirrors.

The sale of Parramatta PCYC’s former home at 12 Hassall St fetched $31m. Picture: Google Maps

“There’s a lot of lip service and not a lot of service to our community.’’

Mrs Balana, 36, said management requested volunteers to chase government funding but members had not been consulted about the figure needed to be raised.

She has grown up with the club where her 69-year-old father and former Olympic weightlifting coach James David, is a life governor.

“I’m a Hills resident. I still come to Parramatta because there’s still a need for Parramatta,’’ she said.

“PCYC services a role in the city of Parramatta.’’

The PCYC and Education Department were approached for comment.