Lumsden Squash Club may have to forfeit property over unpaid rates

• Published date: 18 April 2024
• Publication title: Southland Express

Late last month the Southland District Council released a public notice saying the Lumsden Squash Club had not paid rates for three years and risked forfeiting its property

Established in 1988, the club bought its Flora Rd site in 2003.

Former member Michelle Mitchell said people had not realised the club was no longer official, and the court had been used up until about two years ago.

The group was now looking at ways to re-establish so it could sell the building and keep the money in the community, she said.

‘‘We’re looking forward to working with council and whoever is relevant to ensure that we can make this happen,’’ she said.

‘‘It’s been a difficult process, because it’s been a non-existent club until now.

‘‘We’ve all played squash and probably haven’t realised it was formally disbanded in 2001.’’

A former president of the club — who asked not to be named — said the building had been used by other parties since the club fell into recess.

That included use as a community gym and spare court for the nearby Balfour club.

Efforts to revive things had also been stymied by its bank due to a lack of information, the person said.

‘‘The suitcase with the minutes was lost.’’

As a result, the club had been locked out of its account.

In order for land to be considered abandoned, rates needed to be unpaid for a minimum of three years or the ratepayer be unknown, unreachable or deceased, a council spokesperson...