Community groups are seeking the assets of the closed Tantanoola Primary School almost five years after its bell was rung for the last time.
Tantanoola lost its school and child parent centre at the end of 2019 due to a lack of enrolments.
It was marketed for a time by a Mount Gambier firm for an undisclosed price but failed to sell.
The extensive grounds and buildings have been well-maintained ever since, including the modern gymnasium which is almost the size of a basketball court.
It is only around 15 years old and its $930,000 price tag was funded by the Rudd Federal Labor Government as part of the nation-wide economic stimulus package “Building the Education Revolution”.
A coalition involving the Tantanoola Progress Association and the town’s football and netball clubs is now lobbying the State Government through Member for MacKillop Nick McBride.
In its submission to Mr McBride, the Tantanoola coalition estimates it would need $300,000 from the State Government to shift the school gymnasium to the Tantanoola Oval.
“The community still has strong opinions that some benefits from the sale of the school should be still be realised for the town,” stated the Tantanoola groups.
“We ask for the school oval to be sub-divided and it could be sold for housing blocks.
“This would eliminate the school oval becoming an eyesore, fire risk or junkyard in the town.
“The very large fire water tank with at its CFS ready connections, be relocated to the sports ground and still be of use to the CFS.
“The existing two large roof shade areas constructed of steel and iron, which currently cover an open area paved with asphalt, be removed and rebuilt as shelters at the netball courts and at the football ground.
“As with many things located at schools, money raised by the school community was used to fund the likes of extra playground equipment.
“Finally, we ask the remaining school grounds be sold and $250,000 of the sale proceeds be given to the town for numerous projects.
“They include further refurbishment of the railway station buildings which are heritage tested.
“Funding is needed by the netball club for the upgrade of their change rooms and club facilities as well as the football club.”
The coalition also sought for the school’s playground equipment to be located elsewhere in Tantanoola but most has been moved by Wattle Range Council to a park in Millicent.
Tantanoola Primary School was founded in 1881 with some of the original buildings still in use at the time of its closure.
At its peak, the student enrolment well exceeded 100.
Among the distinguished old scholars are Australian netballer Jane Altschwager, State Premier Des Corcoran, academic Professor Neil Warren and Essendon AFL draftee Angus Clarke.
