About Us

HISTORY OF THE BENDIGO SQUASH CENTRE CO-OPERATIVE LIMITED

The Bendigo Squash Centre was built in 1962.

The Centre contains 7 squash courts, Men's and Women's change rooms, a Club room with a kitchen, an office and a reception area where you can purchase refreshments, some equipment and hire squash courts.

In 1979, the then owners of the Bendigo Squash Centre, Jim & Sheila Daley wished to sell the Centre, so a dedicated group of members headed by Kerry Worsley explored some ways that perhaps the Squash Club could purchase their own Centre.

After discussions with the Ballarat Squash Association, who have also formed a Co-operative, and several other knowledgeable people the Club decided to purchase the Centre.

The Club raised the deposit by Debentures from the Members and Jim & Sheila kindly financed the balance. After about five years the Co-operative then re-financed with the then State Savings Bank and repaid the loan out by 1992 and at the end of 1993 the Co-operative had repaid all debenture holders. We had borrowed and repaid $250,000.00 plus interest.

The building has required some maintenance over the years, including replacing a front wall, taking out the walls of court 6 and 7 to allow more viewing area and purchasing and fitting a glass wall in court 4.

The roof also needed replacing and another $30,000.00 was borrowed but repaid within two years.

From 1995 the co-operative has been debt free and has been attempting to raise sufficient funds to have the change rooms renovated at a cost of $80,000.00 and the Club is investigating to see if we can obtain a Grant to help finance these major works.

To help to keep the cost of playing squash as low as possible, the Co-operative relies heavily on volunteers to work at the centre and for maintenance on the centre.

This a story of how the members of the Bendigo Squash Club and the Directors of the Bendigo Squash Centre Co-operative Limited have worked together to create a great social and competitive atmosphere and we hope to be able to continue on for many more years to come.