Some say it would be an excellent venue for picnics or even an open air concert. The new structure is right behind the building that PACF (Philippine Australian Community Foundation) officers now call Philippine Australian Cultural Centre (PACC). It is also adjacent to the sunken area in Schofields that has been converted into a farmland by covering it with a few tons of garden soil. Reports have it that the people behind the project are planning to plant vegetables in the area.
In the previous month’s issue, Philippine Sentinel columnist Boy Galang jokingly entitled his article “Bahay Kubo Kahit Munti, ang Halaman Doon ay Sari-Sari.” Call it what you may but to the original donors, the project is still the uncompleted Multi-Purpose Centre.
New South Wales Premier Barry O’Farrell should ask if the structure is worth the $34,000 grant that the state government approved. PACF should make a public disclosure of how the money was spent and provide receipts. If not, where did the rest of the money go? How many people can the covered area accommodate? Is there adequate public liability insurance coverage for life and limb?
By its appearance, it seems that the former covered basketball court at the old MPC site in Rooty Hill is much larger and more sturdy. We can only hope that this new structure in Schofields is strong enough to withstand damaging winds that frequent the area. Otherwise, the money goes PFFFFT!