GCHA Statement on Facility Redevelopment

Notice to all members of GCHA
 
The board of GCHA would like to provide an update on the redevelopment of the GCHA Fields.
 
Representatives from Hockey Queensland (HQ), Gold Coast Hockey Association (GCHA) and Labrador Sports Club (LSC) have been tasked with forming what is now known as “Gold Coast Hockey Management Group” (GCHMG). GCHMG have been chartered by Cold Coast City Council (GCCC) to maintain the $15 million facility on behalf of ALL of our members. This includes the LSC members.
 
HQ as the sport’s governing body in Queensland, has three members sitting on the board. GCHA are represented by Col Rawding and Paul Gasmier (myself), with LSC represented by President Scott Beasley and Bruce Curtis. Bruce has recently resigned from his position on the management group. Robert Lumsden has been nominated as Bruce's replacement, on this board. At the completion of the 2018 Commonwealth Games the three HQ representative will resign their posts, at which point the GCHMG will revert to, two members from GCHA and LSC respectively.
 
Whilst GCHA together with the other members of GCHMG have been trying to gain a successful outcome and spent countless hours doing so, we have encountered several challenges to produce the desired outcome. It should be noted that after the KPMG meeting late last year we all agreed on a model that would allow us to progress with signed acceptance of KPI’s and key objectives to facilitate the business model. This has now been challenged at the 11th hour.
 
In the past week emotions have run high, with petitions and Facebook messages. It has not been easy for anyone within this group, although it must be said that at our last meeting, there was a more conciliatory outlook. GCHA and the group want to move this goodwill forward and achieve an outcome that sits in line with GCCC expectations of the group and is functional for both GCHA and LSC representatives and all the members of GCHA. 
 
I must say that it is disappointing for a member of state parliament who sat in our last meeting and insisted that LSC take down their petition and Facebook feed in regard to the petition, should then post a Facebook message himself that contradicts his own words to LSC.
 
The GCHMG has a small window of opportunity to successfully work out the issues still outstanding. They have a budgetary meeting this weekend, that once agreed on should allow other issues to get resolved quite quickly. 
 
Once we can get to this point, GCCC are looking for both parties to surrender their leases to allow works to start on stage 2 in late Aug-Sept.
 
It is the GCHA boards intent to form a solid foundation from which hockey on the gold coast can prosper for the benefit of ALL clubs and their members.
 
I have to thank you the players, volunteers and staff for your patience. You have had to put up with some inconvenience already this season. The off season will see both fields pulled up and re-laid, this will complement the works to the club house buildings, The facility with new club house, turf fields, watering systems, and lighting will certainly be an impressive venue for us all to play our hockey.
 
You should also know that pending favourable weather through the summer of 16-17, both turfs are documented to be open by April 2017. Mother Nature will play a big part in these fields being completed and as members of GCHA we will need to be patient if the inevitable happens. 
 
Season 2018 will also see disruption, albeit a good one, with the playing of the 2018 Commonwealth Games. There will be time allocated to set up grandstands and corporate areas prior and post the games, so further patience will be required. 
Post the games the grass field to the western end of the fields will be cultivated and grassed ready for the 2019 season. 
So while we are grateful for the redevelopment, we all suffer in one way or another. The quality and design of the facility will allow all members to enjoy one of the best hockey facilities in the country. 
 
I wish you all the very best with success on the playing fields for 2016 & stay patient for what will be an exciting time for every hockey member on the Gold Coast.
The board appreciate the support from you all, and encourage you to have your say on our progress or comments for the future.
 
Yours in hockey
 
Paul Gasmier
President GCHA