A development application has been put to Council requesting approval to change the Taralga Road property to a place of public worship.

If all goes to plan, the Goulburn Christian Life Centre (CLC), currently located in Sloane St, will fit out the building which once hosted squash matches, a spa, gymnasium and a residential flat; into a fully functional church - complete with stage, Sunday school facilities, kitchen and office.

Treasurer of Goulburn CLC, Ciril Boltezar, told the Post the church community were first interested in the building years ago.

“We took interest in it a couple of years ago, but there were a number of issues and so it was taken off the market. When it came back on the market late last year we went for it,” Mr Boltezar, a member of the CLC for some 16 years, said.

It’s no task for the faint-hearted.

The property would need major work to not only remove existing sports facilities including an inground spa, but to also bring amenities and kitchen facilities up to scratch, and soundproof the area.

“There are a lot of Council requirements to actually use this as a church. For one, there’s no disabled toilet so we will install that.

We’ve also had to complete a noise report and some of those recommendations,” Mr Boltezar explained.

Still, the congregation are committed to finding a home. Members have been saving their pennies for some 15 years to make this a reality.

“Where we are now is a rented premises and really not adequate for our needs. While we can fit people in our hall, there’s no appropriate area for our children. With any rental property there’s the usual landlord restrictions and we really have no capacity to expand,” Mr Boltezar continued.

“Every time we want to do something outside our regular church on Sundays it became a real hassle.

“With a permanent presence here we would be able to impact the community even more, and if we wanted to open up for community work we could. We just don’t have the room now.

“In this new location the church could perhaps expand and grow…” At last count, there were some 80 adult members in the congregation.

Pending Council approval, Mr Boltezar said the church hoped to begin work on the building around May.

A noise assessment and traffic impact statement have been submitted along with the application, compiled by Laterals Planning Pty Ltd.

The DA is currently on exhibition at the Council offices in Bourke St, or online.