Community gets behind vision for Slade Campus

A last-ditch attempt to save Slade Campus from bulldozing is fast gaining momentum. Within just the past week, a community vision for Slade has been launched, a committee formed, and a public meeting held to moot the idea. With very little promotion, Classroom Block A at Slade Campus was nearly at capacity when about 55 people attended Sunday evening’s public meeting. The meeting unanimously decided to “pursue the possibility of the community purchasing Slade Campus and managing it for community benefit”. The idea, Slade Lives Again – Development for Everyone (SLADE), is that 3000 community members will put in $1000 each to purchase Slade Campus from the Southern Downs Regional Council.
With just under two weeks to go before the council’s expressions of interest for the purchase of Slade Campus closes, the Slade Lives Again committee want the council to postpone the closing date since the community is interested in purchasing the facility for community benefit.
Sunday’s meeting was very positive, with endless possibilities of the community use of Slade Campus mooted.
There are already a number of community groups using the facility and seven weddings at the beautiful site, which overlooks the Condamine River and the city, have already been booked in for this year. The accommodation available, used as an evacuation centre in the recent floods, is still being utilised.
But ideas for a conference centre, walking track, respite centre, restaurant, and use by local sporting bodies and many more community groups and service clubs were suggested.
“They’ve (the council) got the best bit of real estate here in Warwick. It’s going to be a big loss if it’s sold, not just for Warwick, but the whole district,” said one of the meeting attendees.
It was urged for concerned residents to write to councillors saying they are against the sale of Slade Campus, while there is a real community interest in the purchase of the property.
Past students also attended the meeting.
Toowoomba resident Allan Donovan was a student from 1942 to 1944 and enjoyed reminiscing about his schooling life while on site on Sunday.
“It should be used for educational purposes, but since that is dead in the water, it should be used for community purposes,” Mr Donovan said.
“It’s a magnificent site; just the ambience of walking around the grounds. This is history. You can’t sell that to developers,” he said.
A meeting will be held this Sunday at 5pm at Slade Hall for community members interested in saving Slade Campus.
Refreshments and sandwiches will be provided.