At the last council meeting, councillors seeking between $80,000 and $100,000 for an options analysis into a new indoor sports facility in Raymond Terrace decided to include the project in the works plus program, as well as election advocacy documents for the upcoming state and federal elections.

A report presented to councillors by staff said that the Kings Hill Urban Release Area Infrastructure Study had identified the need for a multipurpose indoor sports facility within Raymond Terrace, at a construction value of a whopping $22.7 million, with $2.7m to be funded through development contributions.

Three possible sites included the Kings Park sports complex [deemed unsuitable due to the environmental constraints], Raymond Terrace Leisure Centre [now the library and not considered feasible as it no longer meets contemporary standards] and Lakeside Sports Complex [too far from the CBD, according to Cr Paul Le Mottee].

Raymond Terrace PCYC, located on council land in Sturgeon Street within the CBD, did not rate a mention.

In its current form the centre would not accommodate a multi-purpose court to cater for activities such as basketball, volleyball, netball, says centre manager Travis Douglass, but a redevelopment of the site which comprises a large carpark could provide a more financially viable solution.

"We are certainly open to discussions with the council about the opportunity to provide more space for youth activities as a long term future project," Mr Douglass said.

"Part of the PCYC mission is to work with young people to develop their skills, character and leadership as well as reduce and prevent crime, so providing more facilities for the people of Raymond Terrace has to be a good thing. I believe it is something worth pursuing in the longer term."

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At the last meeting of council, both west ward councillors Giacomo Arnott and Le Mottee spoke of the need for an indoor sports centre in the Raymond Terrace CBD.

They said such a centre had the support of the sports council, the business sector and the wider Raymond Terrace community. The PCYC centre predominantly runs gym, fitness and gymnastics classes for both groups and individuals.

"We had to shut our doors during the COVID lockdown but we are up and running again, open Monday to Friday from 7am to 8pm and Saturday from 8am to 12 noon," Mr Douglass said. "We cater for males and females of all ages, starting at 18 months (KinderGym) and include senior fitness classes for people well into their 80s."

The PCYC also has a fulltime youth case manager [Senior Constable Matt Lynch] available to support young people and the centre runs both learner driver and driver licence assistance [for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and the disadvantaged] programs for L and P platers.

"During the lockdown the centre was used by Awabakal Health as a vaccination clinic, where I believe around 1000 people were vaccinated," Mr Douglass said.

He added that the centre would be looking to continue to grow with the Raymond Terrace community, providing support for the youth, the disabled and disadvantaged and those wanting to improve their health and fitness.

"We are a fully inclusive club that welcomes everyone within the community to come and get active."

He said the centre was running a special for anyone wanting to join the gym by waiving the $27 fortnightly fee for the first two weeks. For more information contact the PCYC centre on 4983 1703.

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