An elite Sunshine Coast private school says it has not decided what it will do with a recently acquired site that includes a recreation club, as locals demand improved and long-term access to the facility.
St Andrew’s Anglican College purchased the land and club at Peregian Springs in late March, after the developer’s 10-year agreement to own and operate it came to an end.
Homeowners of the Ridges community estate, who had paid an annual levy via a body corporate to Aveo Group for exclusive access, were offered the chance to buy it and take on the operating costs but a vote among them failed and it was put on the market.
The school bought the site and rebranded the recreational club – which includes a pool, gym, tennis courts, cafe and commercial space – with a two-year commitment to keep it open to the public.
The pool’s opening hours were restricted, entry prices increased and it was dubbed ‘exclusive and expensive’ by many locals, who held fears for the future of the site, including speculation the school could build a church there.
Resident Renee English started a petition calling for the college to extend the pool hours, re-evaluate prices and to ensure continued community access to the pool.
“It is disheartening to see the pool remain unused (at times) under its cover, particularly when numerous demographic groups, including young families and cancer survivors, are directly impacted by the loss of access,” she said.
Ms English also said some teenagers had resorted to “nuisance behaviour” in the neighbourhood because they no longer accessed the pool.
More than 630 people have signed the petition since mid-October.
“While some believe that the school may only act as a business, we remain steadfast in our belief that it’s imperative to uphold a moral and community-oriented approach,” Ms English said.
Ms English, who has multiple sclerosis, said the restrictions hindered her.
“The pool had provided me with a valuable opportunity to work on my mobility, including walking and jogging: something I cannot easily do elsewhere,” she said.
“I also miss the sight of children and their joyful expressions as they played in the kiddie pool play area.”
She also worried for the future of the site.
“There is a prevailing sense that the school intends to expand its campus onto this property as the school grows,” she said.
“Troubling rumours circulate about the potential conversion of the land into a church.”
A St Andrew’s spokesperson said locals had their chance to buy the site themselves. They also said higher fees were necessary and development was “inevitable”.
“While we sympathise with residents who bought in the area under the previous body corporate, through no fault of the college, the (Ridges) body corporate voted against keeping the rec club,” they said.
“The college purchased the property transparently in public sale and as a condition of the sale, we committed to keeping the centre open to the community for a period of two years.
“The hours and pricing set have been determined through feasibility, and any amendment to this would come at a cost to the college and our fee-paying parents.”
The spokesperson said the recreational club was being used by members and guests, and the pool can be used by for various reasons, with other options for swimmers in the region.
“There are no stipulations around what members can use the pool for,” they said.
“Membership also includes access to the St Andrew’s Aquatic Centre during available times.
“Alternatively, the Coolum pool is less than 5km away.”
The school is about 1km away from the land and rec club.
The spokesperson ruled out the possibility of a church being built on the site but said some type of development would occur.
“The rec club land is private property owned by the college and by way of this, is already an extension of the college campus,” they said.
“We are already using the rec club for college purposes and will continue to do so.
“There are no plans for a church on the site, but development at some stage will inevitably happen.
“The college purchased the land as part of strategic planning, to ensure we can continually grow the college well into the future.”
But the spokesperson could not provide further details.
“Our masterplan is currently under review by our college council, and there are still no specific plans (for the site),” they said.
The spokesperson also said “nuisance behaviour” from teenagers was not localised to Peregian Springs.
“It is an issue across the Sunshine Coast that needs to be addressed by authorities, not by a school,” they said.
“We provide multiple opportunities within our responsibility and scope as a school for teens in the wider community, including swimming squads, water polo and sporting teams.”
The college has charged ahead with development in recent years, opening a learning hub in 2015, an impressive aquatic centre in 2019 and a multi-courts complex and underground carpark last month.
It is due to start building a performing arts centre and a new main administration building next year. This will be followed by a future learning building for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths, which is estimated to start in 2027.
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