Investors Robert Rampton and Steve Jones exchanged contracts on the former Crazy Clark’s building, opposite the McDermott Centre two weeks ago.

Mr Rampton said he and his business partner didn’t have any firm plans for the building at this stage. It sits on a large 1200 square metre block that backs onto Cartwright Square.

“We were always interested in it and made enquiries a few years ago but it wasn’t available,” Mr Rampton said.

“The opportunity presented itself (recently), we made an offer and it was accepted.”

First National, Goulburn, marketed the property.

The council also considered buying the building to house a community centre for groups and services moved out of the McDermott Centre. The latter is being transformed into a performing arts venue. Its former tenants, including Neighbour Aid and Leisure Link, are shifting into the former Huntly Arcade nearby, also owned by Mr Rampton and Mr Jones.

The council will pay $140,000 annual rent on the premises but longer term wants to establish a permanent community centre for these services and groups.

A draft CBD plan had proposed a laneway beside the Crazy Clark’s structure connecting to Cartwright Square and parking spaces.

Council general manager Warwick Bennett said while the former Crazy Clark’s building was off the agenda, there were other possibilities for the community centre.

In two weeks councillors will tour the former Goulburn Furniture warehouse building on the corner of Blackshaw Road and Sloane Street. The structure, owned by John Kelly since 2014, won conditional council approval for a 76-place childcare centre in 2015 but the development never went ahead.

Mr Bennett said councillors had suggested investigation of the site as well as the council’s former Bourke Street depot. Asked about this possibility in May, Mr Bennett told The Post it could be considered but he believed there were better long-term options.

The complex was pegged for sale to help fund the council’s consolidation of all its depots at Hetherington Street. Mr Bennett said if it were to be turned into a community centre, other funds to pay for Hetherington Street would have to be sourced.

The council has given Goulburn’s U3A and the Gem Society temporary tenancy at Bourke Street until December, when they must move out. Both groups had expressed a wish to stay there, saying the space was ideal. U3A members questioned why the council had allocated $4 million in its budget to either buy or re-fit a building for a community centre when it already owned the former depot.

The suggestion has apparently hit home.

Mr Bennett said it would be considered but the building would require “substantial work.”

“We’ll have to have a look at that (the budget) in terms of what are the options and exactly what we can do down there to develop on that site,” he said.

Asked whether U3A could also be accommodated there, given its need for significant space to accommodate programs, Mr Bennett said the council would explore all opportunities.

“There’s U3A, the Arts Society and Gem Society, so we want to start again now that the building in Auburn Street is no longer an option. We’ll go and see what else we can find,” he said.

Councillors are expected to discuss the matter further in a workshop following investigations. A report could be furnished to a September or October council meeting.

Meantime, Mr Rampton and Mr Jones have started work on a 39-unit motel at the former Sts Peter and Paul’s Primary School site on the corner of Verner Street and Cartwright Square.

Mr Rampton said bricks for the two-storey motel had been matched with those on the old school hall. He hopes to complete work by Christmas or early next year, when attention will turn to fully restoring the old hall.

Townhouses have already been constructed on the old playground area.