Centre 'not funded', says CEO

Statements by Cr Chris Holstein which suggested the Peninsula Community Centre's operation was subsidised by Gosford Council were "inaccurate", according to the centre's CEO Mr Michael Nesbitt.

Mr Nesbitt said the statements should be clarified or withdrawn.

Mr Nesbitt said lack of direct council funding for running costs remained a "sensitive issue" with the centre attempting to retain a primary community access focus, while having to pay Council rent of more than $1000 a month.

"We will continue to strive to make the Centre accessible to all parts of the community on a capacity to pay basis.

"We do not receive any direct funding towards the operations of our 15 auspiced programs that operate throughout the Peninsula area and beyond.

"Such inaccurate comments from Cr Holstein create antagonism in the community directed towards our Centre staff."

Mr Nesbitt said that, because the public was led to believe the centre was council-funded and operated, it expected free facility hire.

"In short, the Peninsula Community Centre is not an adjunct of Gosford Council, and receives absolutely nothing by way of financial assistance from Gosford Council to offset our direct daily operational running costs."

Mr Nesbitt's comments came in response to a media statement from Cr Holstein, who was defending the poor financial performance of the Peninsula Leisure Centre, published under the heading "Attacks on leisure centre a disgrace".

"This article makes the claim by Cr Holstein that Gosford Council funds running costs 'to a rate of 55 per cent for community, youth and senior citizens centres, and 90 per cent for libraries'.

"With regard to the Peninsula Community Centre such a sweeping statement is blatantly untrue," Mr Nesbitt said.

He said the centre would welcome a subsidy from council of $85,000 a year, being 55 per cent of its operating costs.

Cr Holstein said his comments were not directed at the Peninsula Community Centre but were general comments relating to community facilities that were not "profit centres" but provided for community benefit.

Cr Holstein said that he regarded the criticism of the community centre as a personal attack on him, the second in six months by the centre.

He said he believed it was politically motivated.

Cr Holstein said he would continue to push for improved community facilities in for the area.

Press release, 4 Jun 2007 Michael Nesbitt, Peninsula Community Centre Response: Cr Chris Holstein