Hardys Bay RSL club to be sold?

The Hardys Bay RSL Club is expected to be sold by tender, following an announcement by club president Mr Terry O'Flaherty that it was no longer viable.

The announcement was made by Mr O'Flaherty at an extraordinary general meeting on Sunday, February 17, which saw over 200 members attend.

Mr O'Flaherty, on behalf of his Board, told the meeting that that it was no longer viable to run the club when it had a big mortgage and major plant and equipment was starting to fail.

Daily trading figures and projected figures for the following months were presented to the meeting.

The meeting decided to authorise the sale of the club's land and building to pay back lenders.

In 2006, president Ms Steve Newman said the Hardys Bay RSL Club would overcome its financial difficulties and "return to the vibrant asset of the community it has been in the past".

"The fat lady hasn't sung yet but she is clearing her throat and the orchestra is tuning up," said Mr Newman at the time.

This statement was closely followed with the news that the Board had successfully established a refinancing arrangement with members of the community which would enable it to relieve the administrators of their duties and leave sufficient working capital.

Hardys Bay Residents Group's Allan Wilson said the future of the club and location after this date was uncertain.

"One option approved by members at the meeting is to continue investigating a management agreement, which may result in the relocation to Poole Cl, Empire Bay.

"There is a groundswell of community support for the club to stay at its current location and to maintain a club on the Killcare Peninsula.

"However, this would only be possible with a significant injection of funds to enable refinance of a loan and to repair some of the club's failing equipment.

"A major financial issue is the $700,000 loan plus the interest repayments.

"Should it overcome these, the club would be in a position to trade profitably and that is why it is seeking to refinance by submitting a tender to the interested parties.

"The club intends to seek pledges and run a series of fundraising events throughout the coming months to solve the current financial problems.

"An upcoming event which has already attracted much interest is the Hardys Bay RSL Club Party on Saturday, March 9, from 7:30pm, when guests will be entertained with live music.

"People are encouraged to organise their own parties with dinner available at the club's restaurant.

"Hopefully, the club with such a distinguished past, will fight its way back from near extinction through generous donations, so the 'best little club on the Coast', as it has been termed, can again be enjoyed by locals and visitors, as well as future generations," said Mr Wilson.

Media Release, 27 Feb 2013

Allan Wilson, Hardys Bay Residents Group