It was built AFAIR by MFC as a gym/fitness facility, for use both by the club and the general public. At one time there was even talk of building a walkover, between it and the ground. From what I gathered at the time - they did sell it, but it was a forced sale - FPC were removed from their bar/lounges under the main stand and forced to buy and move or fold (it was at this point that link between FPC and the club was severed - it had of course originally been set-up to generate funds for MFC - any year end profits being gifted to the club).
Basically it became a millstone round the club's neck and they had to move it on and the FPC were clearly seen as the ideal candidates, though I don't think by the FPC committee at the time.