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Hibiscus Coast Community RSA members have to consider how their club can go forward sustainably, at a meeting to be held later this month. In a summary report of the options circulated to members ahead of a February 25 Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), the current situation was described as “grim”.
“Despite extensive investment in new products and services, the club remains in a substantial negative revenue position, month after month, even after stripping out essential investment in repairs, maintenance and capital expenditure,” the report said. “Paid membership of around 1100 compares well with the situation immediately prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, albeit with a marked decline in the number of service members. Efforts to attract younger ex-service members have failed, as it appears they have with most other RSAs in the country.”
At the same time, the summary notes that fixed costs like rates and insurance are on the rise, and maintenance of the ageing clubrooms is also expected to be a major expense in the coming years. There are two options that the members will consider at the EGM. The first is to sell the remainder of the club’s site in Vipond Road, either immediately or when property prices are more favourable. The developer who purchased a portion of the RSA’s land, at 20 Melia Place, has first right of refusal. Selling its land would require the RSA to find an alternative rental or shared base, somewhere on the Hibiscus Coast. A way to preserve the memorial wall at the entrance to the Vipond Road site would need to be worked out. The second option is to stay put, and try to limit losses as much as possible. President David Newman says whatever members decide, it may take a couple of years to implement the plan. His message to members last December was that this year’s focus is to cement in place a sustainable future for the club – one that enables it to offer all the benefits that members currently enjoy.
