Toowoomba Squash Centre to be demolished in 2024 to make way for new Officeworks, fast food eateries in Harristown

A longstanding Toowoomba sporting club could be dissolved after a date was set for its facility’s demolition, to make way for a $30m retail precinct.

A longstanding Toowoomba sports club faces oblivion after a date was set for its facility’s demolition, to make way for a new Officeworks and fast food eateries.

The Toowoomba Squash Centre on James St in Harristown will be demolished in early January, with president Rod Evans revealing the sad news to members on Wednesday.

It comes about five months after developers Rob and Cathy Weymouth were approved in March by the Toowoomba Regional Council to build a $30m retail complex on the corner of James and West streets, with Officeworks as the anchor tenant.

The project will encompass the site of the old Snap Fitness gym and the squash centre.

In an email to members, Mr Evans said the club had yet to find a new facility to host courts.

“I advise the we are closed as of January 1, 2024 (as) the building is being demolished in early January,” he wrote.

“A very sad day indeed, (the) end of an era dating back to 1958.

“Unfortunately we don’t have any option for courts in Toowoomba at this time (but) the closest courts are at Pittsworth, Gatton Uni and Crows Nest.”

REVEALED: Officeworks will be the anchor tenant of a $30m project replacing the infamous Snap Fitness eyesore on the corner of James and West Streets in Harristown.

Committee member Mark Wynhoven told News Corp a year ago the club had been exploring options for relocation.

“Funding for squash is a tough gig but we’ve looked at opportunities within the commercial sector, we’ve got a couple of good ones,” he said in August 2022.

Mr Weymouth said in May he was looking to start work on the Officeworks once an appeal over a $600,000 infrastructure charge was cleared up with the council.

Mr Weymouth was contacted for comment.