Morale is not good at the Kogarah RSL Youth Club.
At one level it is business as usual, with kids and trainers arriving for their regular gymnastics classes, but beneath the surface there is anger and outrage.
The youth club, sponsored by Kogarah RSL Sub-branch, is about to lose Colvin Hall, the clubhouse it has occupied for more than 50 years.
The closure is to make way for the Veridian development which is going to give Kogarah RSL Ltd (a different entity to the sub-branch) a new lease of life in the midst of more than 200 apartments.
More than 200 young people, including a number with disabilities, use the premises most weeks.
Youth Club vice-president and sub-branch welfare officer Len Thomas says the youth club has been shafted by both the Kogarah RSL and by the developer Capital Bluestone.
The developer and the club deny this. They say they are working to relocate the youth club to more suitable premises.
Mr Thomas wants the youth club to remain a part of the RSL development — or to be provided with enough money to buy their own premises in the Kogarah area.
They say they don't want to go to Rockdale PCYC.
Mr Thomas said a Capital Bluestone employee had promised them a space in the new Veridian complex and they understood they would be relocated only for the duration of the building work.
He said they also understood that the RSL Club would look after the youth club as there was a memorandum of understanding between them which had another two years to run, after which there was an option for another 15-year agreement.
"But RSL Ltd has thrown us out," Mr Thomas said.
"When the RSL Club made a deal with Capital Bluestone they should have made arrangements for the youth club.
"Many parents are upset that RSL Ltd has done nothing to keep us here."
Kogarah RSL general manager Grant Amer said there was never any discussion with the Kogarah RSL sub-branch to house the youth club in the proposed development.
"The Kogarah sub-branch has been seeking, with the assistance of the Kogarah RSL, suitable locations to relocate the youth club," Mr Amer said.
"We highly value the work and activities provided to the youth of the area by this club so both Capital Bluestone and Kogarah RSL are committed to helping the RSL sub-branch to find suitable new premises."
Mr Amer said the RSL's decision to redevelop its premises was about ensuring its long-term future, and being able to enhance community programs that offered invaluable benefits.
"The youth club has very specific needs in terms facilities such as a basketball court, gymnasium and wheelchair accessibility," he said.
"These specific requirements mean there are limited alternative venues in the immediate vicinity."
He said discussions were continuing with sub-branch president Barry Glover who was prepared to work with the redevelopment program and Capital Bluestone to help locate a suitable venue for the youth club before the anticipated demolition of the existing structure in the third quarter of 2016.
"We're all hoping for a speedy resolution to provide certainty for the children and families who enjoy the range of activities offered," Mr Amer said.
Do you believe Capital Bluestone and Kogarah RSL has the youth club's best interests at heart?
