The future of the cafe space at the Sunshine Leisure Centre remains up in the air close to 18 months after it was closed by Brimbank council.
The council closed the SLC’s cafe in March 2016 following reportedly poor takings.
At the time, a report to council said cafe income had dropped from $109,672 in 2011-12 to just $27,208 between May and November 2015.
The report said a lack of facilities limited the cafe’s ability to make a profit and it was relying on a “significant subsidy” to operate.
A bloc of community groups, including Save Sunshine Pool, called on the council to reopen the cafe, presenting a petition signed by 103 people to the council.
The community campaign led to the council advertising for social enterprise partners to
set up a new cafe at the leisure centre late last year.
The expression of interest process also called for an operator for a cafe at the Brimbank Community and Civic Centre, resulting in Little Rays Cafe opening on the ground floor of the civic centre in April.
But community wellbeing director Kath Brackett said the council could not find a suitable vendor for the SLC cafe.
“At this time, a limited range of food and drinks are available to visitors to the Sunshine Leisure Centre, via vending machines and at reception,” Ms Brackett said.
“The future of the cafe space at the leisure centre is a matter being considered alongside other leisure centre-focused community requests that have been presented to council for consideration.”
