PVRSC – Position and Path Forward 16/10/25

The Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre (PVRSC) operates as a not-for profit organisation responsible for the management of the community facility at Herbert Street Cambridge Park, known by all as ‘the stadium”. The Board is composed of volunteer Directors, appointed in recognition of their skills, knowledge and connection to the local community.

As Directors, our duty is to protect the long-term sustainability of a community asset that serves many—not to satisfy any single user group. The PVRSC exists thanks to decades of investment from government, community, and sport. Our continued operation relies on responsible financial management, even when such decisions are unpopular.

The Board has managed and significantly improved the facility despite the recent pandemic and a historic under investment in the long-term maintenance of the site. This has been extremely difficult and only achieved through the financial support of Council. The responsibility of the Board is to ensure that all hiring contributes to the immediate operating cost and long-term maintenance of the facility.

The discussions with the Penrith District Basketball Association (PDBA) at the request of Council were undertaken to explore any manner to improve the financial capacity to achieve the objectives of keeping the venue operational long term. Despite consistent efforts to negotiate in good faith, discussions have become unproductive and increasingly characterised by public commentary that is misleading or inaccurate. While disappointing, this reinforces our responsibility to shift focus from negotiation to stewardship.

We want to be clear:

• The PDBA has chosen to use public forums and media rather than constructive engagement to maintain their existing privileged access which represents the chronic under investment that the Board has addressed.
• Many of their public statements are not factually correct. They have not been clear for their members the amount that is charged by the Association on top of the court hire rate that represents the real cost for families
• The PVRSC Board has offered multiple fair and reasonable solutions, all of which were declined or misrepresented.

The PVRSC Board stands firm that the established rates of court hire represent a fair and necessary contribution from all users that will contribute equitably to ensuring we have a community venue for the years to come. We will not engage in public back-and-forth but will correct misinformation where necessary and will not return to practices of the past of providing special conditions for any user that do not represent a fair and equitable contribution for the future of the facility.

Further, the Board is committed to working with all our stakeholders to support and grow their endeavours, recognising that the diversity of events we host significantly contribute to the community benefit that the venue is designed to deliver.

To reaffirm:

• The Centre exists for the community, not one association.
• We continue to work closely with Council, providing full transparency of our financial position and future plans for community basketball and multisport growth.
• Our focus remains long-term viability and community benefit.

“The PVRSC Board has acted transparently and responsibly, consistent with its obligations to Council and the community. We remain open to constructive engagement with any organisation committed to a fair and sustainable framework. Our priority is ensuring the Centre remains accessible, modern, and financially viable for the next generation.”

PVRSC Board of Directors

Read our letter to the PDBA, 16th October 2025.