Claiming credit for community centre

Liberal candidate for Gosford Cr Chris Holstein and the Peninsula Community Centre association president Ms Katie Smith have disputed claims of Cr Holstein's involvement with the centre in an exchange of media releases.

Ms Smith expressed her concern on February 28 at what she said were "misleading claims" made by Cr Holstein over his involvement in setting up the centre.

"The board is very concerned over Cr Holstein's misleading claim in his promotional material that he delivered to the Peninsula Community Centre," Ms Smith said.

"This is clearly misleading and without foundation.

"Built in 1975, the community centre originally commenced operation under the name of the Woy Woy Community Recreational Centre Inc."

She said it changed its name to the Peninsula Community Centre Inc on February 28, 1990, and had "proudly been delivering services to the people of the Peninsula ever since".

"Following lengthy negotiations over the need to upgrade the building, Gosford Council resolved to demolish the old building and build a new facility which was opened by the then Mayor Cr Bell in 2002."

Ms Smith said that the funds required for building came from council through general revenue and other funding streams.

"Despite the council funding, the centre still operates under a lease and pays a rental at a semi-commercial rate with monies raised through its operations and grants from Government," Ms Smith said.

"Whilst the board acknowledges that Cr Holstein was one of 10 councillors at the time, it is misleading to take credit for the community centre at the expense of many other hard working members of the community.

"It is important to set the record straight so that individuals real involvement is clearly understood."

Cr Holstein said he was proud of his role in the development of the Peninsula Community Centre.

"I was on the Gosford Council building committee for the redevelopment of the Peninsula Community Centre and the Woy Woy Theatre along with two other councillors," said Cr Holstein.

"I'm very proud of the role I had in delivering the new building for the Peninsula Community Centre."

Press release, 28 Feb 2007 Wayne Barsing, Peninsula Community Centre Press release, 2 March 2007 Chris Holstein, Liberal candidate for Gosford