SOME locals might smile when they recall their childhood memories at the shore of Lake Moondarra, when they attended the former Lions Club youth camp.
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But the youth camp was eventually handed to the Mount Isa Water Board and left abandoned after Mount Isa’s branch of the service club disbanded in 2009.
There is hope yet for the restoration of the camp and for locals – now grown up - who want their children to share the same experiences they had as children.
The Mount Isa Church of Christ will likely restore the camp facilities, after the council receives the keys from the Mount Isa Water Board later this month.
Pastor Keith Christie said the church will restore the facility on one condition. “As long as the facility hasn’t been damaged or removed in any way,” Mr Christie said.
“Which it shouldn’t be.”
But this is based on assumption, as the site’s current condition is a mystery to Mr Christie.
He has not seen the camp for four years and will be unable to do so until the church is given the keys.
The last he saw the camp it had the capacity to fit about 40 children, and the buildings were intact.
The church wants the camp for the benefit of Mount Isa’s children.
“It’s a great place for kids to go and enjoy themselves,” Mr Christie said.
“We’re really excited to get it … it’s part of our program to help build strong families.”
Mr Christie said the camp will be for the community, but although it will not be part of a church-based program, it will still run on Christian values.
He invited the community to approach him for suggestions for the use of the camp.
“When a community owns a thing, they partake in it,” Mr Christie said.
Mayor Tony McGrady said the council would sub-lease the camp to the church on the condition it is not solely used by the church.
Cr McGrady said an arrangement between the council and the church has not formally been confirmed.
Councillor Joyce McCulloch asked at the recent council meeting that the church provide a viable business plan for the camp.
She said a plan still had not been provided even though she asked for one to be given to the council last year.
Cr McCulloch said the council should not be burdened with the responsibility of the camp, which could happen if there was no stable business plan.
