Public meeting highlighted importance of community

The Crossways Community Trust reported back to Mt Victoria residents at a very well attended public meeting on Thursday 21 August following the sale of Crossways by the Presbyterian Church.

Trust Chair Bill Southworth gave a compelling annual report, detailing the huge amount of time and effort that had gone into the Crossways campaign, singling out some key contributors, and providing a financial summary of the Trust’s fundraising efforts.

Mr Southworth put two motions to the meeting, which sought to re-name the Trust to “the New Crossways Community Trust”, and to alter the Trust’s purpose to allow for a new community centre to be obtained now that Crossways has been sold. Both motions were passed unanimously.

Residents approved a plan to acquire or lease an alternative venue where those that currently use Crossways can continue to meet, and the Trustees are currently working to bring this plan to fruition. A number of alternatives are available, including the use of Ace House in Brougham St after 5pm each day, the sharing of facilities at the Congregational Church in Cambridge Terrace, and the lease of a building in Roxburgh Street.

While these venues will provide the wide range of facilities needed by most groups, none of them are appropriate for the creche due to the lack of outdoor play areas.

The New Crossways Trust is continuing to investigate the various options, and expects to be able to announce some alternative venues in September 2008 - allowing most community groups to relocate once the original Crossways building ceases functioning in early October 2008.
The meeting heard impassioned pleas from the creche that the community stand behind their efforts to relocate to Bandoliers. Cr Ian McKinnon and Cr Iona Pannett both noted the legal and administrative complexities associated with the Town Belt location; however there was unanimous support for the creche being retained in Mt Victoria, even if some kind of temporary move was necessary.

It was clear that there is a strong desire in the community to discuss the issues around the Bandoliers site, and the Mt Victoria Residents Association has undertaken to arrange a public meeting for this purpose in the near future. A date will be posted and more information can be found here.

The Trust has approached the users of Crossways to offer its assistance in helping to find alternative accommodation along with an open invitation to all users as well as other community groups needing a place to meet to return to the "New Crossways" as soon as a replacement venue for Crossways is finalised.

If you are a user of Crossways and have not recieved this information please contact us here.