This petition is in support of a community squash facility to replace Baulkham Hills Squash and Fitness Centre, located at 14 Hill St, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153. This facility has now been sold to developers. We have approximately 18 months to relocate / build facilities to replace these courts.

This privately owned squash facility (like many others) is being sold to make way for real estate developments in the area. Due to the high cost of land in Sydney a development offers a better return for the land than a sporting facility. Consequently, this places the responsibility to provide these community facilities onto the council as few if any private entities would provide the facilities.

In 1985 Sydney had more than 200 squash venues, today there are 40, and in 18 months there will be 39. 

The Hills District community has a large number of avid squash players, including families that play squash together. Kids and teenagers need this sport to develop into functional, well adjusted, healthy social beings.

Additionally, squash is well represented by teenagers and young kids in the Hills district. The NSW High School squash team is well represented by Castle Hill High School. The NSW Greenshield team likewise has a high component of CHHS kids. 

The higher grade players take the kids “under their wings” so to speak and will give up much of their spare time to work with the kids and rally with them. This is common amongst the grade players that want to see the kids come through and improve … AND THEY ARE … as evidenced by the High School and state Greenshield Squash results.

The community needs a replacement squash facility and to maintain the Baulkham Hills Squash Centre commradery.

Please sign the petition so that I may approach council to provide replacement facilities.