Council to Enter Lease Negotiations for Recreation Centre
Published on 31 March 2026
Colac Otway Shire Council will commence lease negotiations with the preferred applicant to manage and activate the Colac Recreation Centre, following the completion of an Expressions of Interest (EOI) process.
The Colac Recreation Centre - known historically as the Colac Youth Club building - includes large open‑plan multipurpose areas, meeting rooms, storage, accessible amenities, and direct access to outdoor sports fields.
The centre has supported a range of community uses over many years. The current licence arrangement with the Colac Youth and Recreation Club Inc expired in late 2025 and Council invited Expressions of Interest from the community to manage the centre for broad community benefit. The EOI sought proposals around how the facility could be best managed to deliver community‑focused programs, encourage shared use, and ensure the facility’s long‑term sustainability. Council received seven submissions.
Submissions were evaluated against criteria assessing the proponent’s capacity, capability, program proposals, governance, and ability to support shared community use.
Councillors voted to enter into lease negotiations with its preferred submitter at an Unscheduled Council Meeting today based on the evaluation outcome and overall value to the community.
“Our community places significant value on the Colac Recreation Centre, and Council is committed to ensuring it reaches its full potential as an active, accessible and well‑used facility,” Mayor Jason Schram said. “The preferred proponent has demonstrated strong experience in operating community venues and a clear vision for broad community benefit,” he said.
“We look forward to progressing negotiations that will support greater activation, shared use and long‑term sustainability of this important community asset.”
Colac Youth and Recreation Club Inc, the current tenants, did not lodge a submission.
“The Youth Club organisation has done an outstanding job over several decades in the building and we thank them for their contribution to Colac through sport, youth activities, community events and in providing a space to gather and meet or celebrate,” Cr Schram said.
“Many of us grew up enjoying the activities provided by the Youth Club and the work of their dedicated volunteers is something our community is extremely grateful for.”
Council will publish details of the preferred proponent as soon as the lease arrangements have settled.