Sources for Premises

From a survey of U3As within Queensland, the most common experience for U3As in Queensland is where rooms/buildings are obtained through local Council assistance. These premises are often redundant CWA Halls, Seniors Community Halls or Libraries. Other sources include local Schools, Churches, University and TAFE Colleges.

Currently, some U3As co-share a property to the mutual benefit of the parties. Examples of this are:
U3A Dalby has sole occupancy of a previous Senior Citizens Centre owned by the Western Downs Regional Council in return for managing outside bookings from the public for the attached hall.

• U3A Noosa has sole occupancy of a building owned by the University of the Sunshine Coast with a long lease; the building provides for 5 classrooms and reception area with a separate committee room.
• U3A North Gold Coast is accommodated within the Council-owned Labrador Community Hub.
• U3A Redlands permanently occupy a classroom within the Cleveland District State High School as Reception area and admin office.
• U3A Sunshine Coast has an office and some classrooms within the University of the Sunshine Coast and classes at North Shore Community Hall (pictured above).
• U3A Townsville has dedicated rooms within the grounds of a Religious Institution where several other NFPs reside.

As a precaution, it is highly desirable to secure a formal lease or licence to occupy the building you wish to use for U3A purposes. It gives your organisation some stability of tenure and will be required if you plan on applying for grant funding in the future to upgrade or refurbish the existing building.