Blackwood Rec Centre Shatters 32-Year Hockey Legacy in Breach of Lease

ADELAIDE, Australia - July 31, 2025 - PRLog -- 1. Board Breaches Lease and Fails to Renew

In 2021, the Board admitted it failed to request the automatic 15-year renewal:

"It has recently come to light that because our letter did not explicitly request the renewal… we did not meet the required terms for an automatic right of renewal."

The 2001 Underlease still in effect contains a clear mandate—Clause 4.3:

"BCRAI shall continue to provide and support all existing sports and recreation activities currently operating at the Centre for the duration of the lease."

Cancelling inline hockey violates this obligation and calls into question the Board's ability to manage responsibilities.

2. Ratepayers Subsidise $105,000 Annually

The Board pushed for a $1 lease and $0 insurance—despite market valuations showing up to $255,000 in forgone rent. Council's March 2025 Agenda Report:

"Council notes that this option would result in an annual ratepayer subsidy of $105,000." "Council notes that it is forgoing up to $255,000 in annual rental…"

3. Inline Hockey Was Publicly Profitable

Between January and November 2024, inline hockey's 19 teams generated $37,949 in revenue and incurred $22,612 in costs—a $15,337 surplus (40.4% margin).

Axing inline hockey discards a revenue-positive program, forcing other activities to subsidise governance failures.

4. Hundreds of Families Disenfranchised

Inline hockey supports 19 teams and a thriving juniors competition, engaging over 300 participants in sport. Blackwood Rec hockey started in June 1993.

5. Call to Action

• Immediate reinstatement of inline hockey
• Transparent cost-allocation and rent contributions
• Independent audit of BCRAI Board decisions

6. Proposed Lease Requires Continuation of Services

The draft new lease, agreed in principle but unsigned, requires BCRAI to "continue providing all existing sports and community services." Cancelling hockey now puts Council in a bind:

• Sign the lease in bad faith, knowing it is breached
• Refuse to ratify, leaving the facility without an operator

7. Good-Faith Negotiations Ignored

BIHC met with the Board multiple times, presenting usage data, cost-share proposals, and volunteer plans. Each time BIHC addressed concerns, the Board introduced new objections and refused to revisit prior agreements.

8. Inline Hockey Club to Rally Community on 12 August

Blackwood Inline Hockey Club will attend Mitcham Council's public meeting on 12 August 2025 to:

• Urge Councillors to withhold lease signing until hockey is reinstated
• Call for a formal tender to find a responsible operator
• Demand restoration of the league and protections for youth sport

Community members, families, and businesses are invited to attend. Mitcham residents can contact the mayor and request a deputation to speak directly to Council.