THE Ararat Eagles' Clubrooms will remain at Alexandra Oval for at least another 12 months.
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Ararat Rural City Council has resolved to retain the clubrooms at their present location while options for a viable relocation can be developed.
Council has also moved to ensure suitable community user groups are able to use the building, under terms of agreement, until relocation or disposal of the building is commenced. It had considered whether to tender for the removal of the building from the site.
Councillor Faye Hull said with the construction of the Alexandra Oval Community and Recreation Centre the community need for the building had changed and options for its re-location or disposal have been sought.
"There was some talk of having the actual building relocated, perhaps for another use at the site," Cr Hull said.
"There are some difficulties in the relocation given the size of the building and the way it has been constructed.
"It would be a shame to see the building empty and this provides time for the building to be used for the community's benefit and gives us time to look at options, perhaps in the future."
At a Council meeting in March several options were put to Council in relation to relocation of the building.
Possible options included relocation to the Gordon Street Oval as sporting facilities, Greenhill Lake as a caretaker's residence, or use as a Men's Shed without an identified location.
Council requested an asset review be undertaken and upon inspection of the building surveyors found that, while sitting on stumps, it was constructed on site. It had previously been thought the building was transportable.
The Eagles Clubrooms has one main function room with bar and kitchen facilities. It also has male, female and accessible toilets.
The wall frames and cladding, flooring system and roof trusses are continuous across the width of the building.
Consequently, the building is too large to move on public roads in a single shift and will require major work to be undertaken to cut and brace the roof, wall and floor systems.
The cost of relocation could be higher and there will be some loss of finish quality as a result of repairs - cut lines to external cladding, ceilings, floor and walls.
Council's director asset finance and corporate support Don Cole, said while the difficulties are not insurmountable they increase the cost of relocation.
"Cost of relocation is estimated to be $35,000 with a further amount of $30,000 to $40,000 required for services, site works and reinstatement," he said.
"Furthermore, unless divided, it is unlikely that the building can be removed from site."
Mr Cole said at present there is no clear identification of a suitable alternative use and location for the building that can be backed with available funds and a committed community user group.
He said retaining the building on site for a further 12 months will enable further opportunities to be developed.
"Investigation of options for relocation of the building known as the Eagles Clubrooms has resulted in no viable and funded proposals to date," he said.
"While the need for this building, as currently located, has changed as a result of the development of the Alexandra Oval Community and Recreation Centre the building may provide community benefit in the short term while opportunities to relocate the building are developed."