As reported in the Western Suburbs Weekly on May 28, Rosalie Sporting Association inaugural president Pat Ellis said WSRCU was forced to relocate from an ‘overcrowded’ Rosalie Park to Bennett Park in Doubleview in February.
As WSRUC contributed $30,000 to Rosalie Park Pavilion in 1991, he claimed the City owed them compensation to build clubrooms at their new Doubleview grounds. Written by four life members of the club and sent on June 13, the letter expressed disappointment in the council’s treatment of the dispute.
‘From the outset we were aware that it was going to be a David and Goliath battle,’ WSRUC life member John Hancock said.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW‘Whilst the mayor was initially very supportive and sympathetic to our request for assistance, that attitude appeared to have changed and the council vote reflects this.’
Subiaco chief executive Stephen Tindale said the legal advice confirmed there were no grounds for a claim by the club against the City, either for $750,000 or for any other amount.
A report to Council said the provision of any payment to the club would risk creating a precedent in allowing other sporting clubs to seek donations from the City to support relocation outside the municipality.
In addition, should they make any payment, it said there was likely to be negative feedback from Subiaco residents and ratepayers.
Mr Hancock said the City was sending a simple message to local sporting clubs that whatever monetary contribution they put into building or improving clubrooms was actually a gift to Council.
‘However, we have now moved on wiser for the exercise and are looking forward to many happy years at our new location,’ he said.