Members of the St Kilda community are expressing outrage following the announcement that the St Kilda Police and Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) intends to sell its 50-year-old Inkerman Street facility. The decision, made public on September 3, has been described by Labor MP Josh Burns as a “shameful betrayal” of the community’s trust and needs.
The announcement comes as the charity faces financial challenges, with St Kilda PCYC chief executive Chris Potaris revealing that the organization has suffered approximately $600,000 in losses over the last three financial years. Potaris explained in an open letter that these losses have made the closure of the gym a “difficult but necessary decision,” with plans to auction the building to support the charity’s expansion into a statewide entity.
Community Backlash and Concerns
The decision has not been well-received by long-time members and local residents. Stuart Gibson, a member of the gym, criticized the move, stating that it contradicts the core values of the St Kilda PCYC. He emphasized the importance of the gym, boxing ring, and basketball court as unique facilities that serve disadvantaged individuals in Melbourne’s south, including those from a nearby public housing estate.
“It’s just an absolute disaster. The members are up in arms,” Gibson said. “This is as important as the Fitzroy Pool to this side of the Yarra.”
St Kilda PCYC has been known for its diverse range of programs, including youth boxing and masters’ classes, with St Kilda Primary School students utilizing the basketball court. However, Potaris argues that the charity has strayed from its primary mission of supporting disaffected youth, prompting a strategic shift.
Strategic Shift and Financial Challenges
Potaris has outlined a vision to transform the charity into “Victoria PCYC,” mirroring the model of the New South Wales PCYC, which comprises 66 clubs supporting thousands of young people. He insists that funds from the sale will be invested in developing a powerful statewide organization.
“The funds from this sale will be invested in our new, longer-term strategy of building Victoria PCYC into a powerful, statewide organisation,” Potaris stated.
Despite these plans, local criticism remains strong. Stuart Gibson voiced concerns over the lack of transparency regarding the allocation of funds from the sale and the absence of plans to replace the facility within the community.
Josh Burns echoed these sentiments, criticizing the abrupt one-month notice for the sale and the vague nature of the proposed statewide body. Burns emphasized that this move severs the PCYC’s only significant community ties in Victoria.
Government and Community Response
In response to the community outcry, Potaris issued a memo criticizing state and local government support for older members as “unacceptable.” He argued for a refocus on youth programs, despite acknowledging the efforts of gym members to raise funds, which he deemed insufficient to address the charity’s flawed business model.
The financial struggles of St Kilda PCYC are evident in its last public report for the 2023/24 financial year, showing a significant drop in fundraising income and losses from programs and a now-defunct social enterprise cafe. The charity also faced financial strain from writing off $821,204 in building construction costs after renovations.
Josh Burns has suggested that support is available to the PCYC, and his office is ready to assist in maintaining specific programs, such as a boxing program for people with Parkinson’s disease, which has funding until mid-2026.
Gibson criticized the lack of proactive fundraising efforts before the closure announcement, asserting that the gym serves the community and its objectives effectively.
Local Government Perspective
Port Phillip Mayor Louise Crawford revealed that the council had engaged with St Kilda PCYC multiple times. The charity had proposed that the council purchase the building, lease a section back at a nominal rent, and assume financial responsibility for maintenance and renewal.
“Even if we had the financial resources to do that without impacting other community priorities, we believe from the information the PCYC provided to us, it was still proposing to close the gymnasium, exit non-youth programs and become the Victorian PCYC,” Crawford stated.
The mayor added that the council was not formally asked to run any of the PCYC’s programs, including the gym, due to a lack of expertise in these areas.
As the community grapples with the impending closure of a cherished institution, questions remain about the future of local support for youth and the broader implications of the charity’s strategic shift.
