Court due to hand down verdict by end of year
Local, state and federal politicians have rallied to support Willoughby Squash Club from closure, pending possible transformation into a $2.9 million child care centre.
Willoughby MP Tim James, Mayor Tanya Taylor and Bradfield MP Nicolette Boele attended an open day on 13 September to show their support for the club, which has over 1,000 regular users a week.
Think Planners submitted a development application (DA) in 2024 to turn the site, which has been a well-fraternised squash centre for almost 50 years, into a 165-place child care centre. Keep Squash in Willoughby campaigner Jack Goodman said the matter was heard in the Land and Environment Court in August, with judgement due by December after council rejected the DA.
Mr Goodman said the 24/7 centre was a ‘hugely essential piece of recreational infrastructure,’ and was the only remaining squash and indoor racquet centre on the North Shore – and the largest in Sydney.
If the centre closed ‘it would be a tragedy for the community because it’s an incredibly important facility for people in Willoughby and all the adjacent councils, North Sydney, Mosman and the Northern Beaches.”
Mr James said a number of local schools including North Sydney Boys also used the facility for other sports including table tennis and badminton.
“I’m not sure that people understood actually how much this site means to our community and how unique and special it is,” Mr James said.
“The community’s desire is to be engaged in sport and recreation, and we need to ensure that we have the facilities to accommodate that.”
Mayor Taylor said council last year had passed a motion to investigate how council could support all racquet users, including squash, given its ‘history (in the area) and passionate following of Keep Squash in Willoughby.’
“The ideal situation would be for them to keep the squash courts there, to not redevelop that site. Because we don’t have any more space…and we don’t have the budget to build at the moment.”
The mayor said council would consider including squash as part of any future indoor sports facilities they may construct in the LGA, if the club was closed, as part of its strategy for future facilities.