BATHURST City Community Club will extend its operations into South Bathurst after being granted a licence to use the historic property at St Joseph's Mount.
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It follows the announcement in November last year that Rahamim Ecology Centre would be closing its doors at the property after more than a decade.
The Institute of Sisters of Mercy Australia and Papua New Guinea and the Bathurst City Community Club (BCCC) have issued a statement about the future of the property in Busby Street.
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Following lengthy discussions, according to the two parties, a licence for the use of the buildings and part of the land has been granted by the Institute to the BCCC.
The BCCC says it "has a vision for the development of a wellbeing centre" on the site, catering to physical, mental and spiritual needs, "which will be community based and open to all".
The BCCC hopes that many of the current community activities being conducted on the site will continue under its management.
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The BCCC, established in March 2012, operates the Bathurst City Bowling Club and provides community services for the region including Hidden Gems, the Little Pantry, themed children parties and the Central West Hub for Drought Angels.
The handover of the buildings and land associated with the licence is planned for May 1, 2020.
St Joseph's Mount has been owned by the Sisters of Mercy since 1909.
For most of the past 13 years the site has been the home of Rahamim Ecology Centre, a ministry of the Sisters of Mercy focused on environmental sustainability and eco-spirituality.
The charity McAuley Ministries Limited cited the cost of maintenance as a key reason for the closure of Rahamim Ecology Centre when it made the announcement last year.
"The level of subsidy per annum to enable the ministry to continue has been deemed financially unsustainable now and into the future," McAuley Ministries chief executive officer Denise Fox said at the time.
The Institute of Sisters of Mercy Australia and Papua New Guinea says it is looking at new ways of delivering its programs.
