A developer offering an alternative to the cash-strapped Hurstville RSL Club is waiting for the board and members to make a decision on his proposal.
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Will McDonald of Skye Pacific is prepared to redevelop the club property in a joint venture with the club.
‘‘The Skye Pacific proposal provides members with a real alternative to a proposed merger with South Hurstville RSL Club and voluntary administration,’’ Mr McDonald said.
‘‘The proposed joint venture redevelopment contemplates ownership of the club’s property remaining with the club.
‘‘Skye Pacific will team with Parkview Constructions, one of Sydney best known residential apartment builders and architects Dickson Rothschild to rebuild a new fully fitted-out club with outdoor restaurant area and basement car parking together with adjacent childcare facilities and residential apartments above.’’
Mr McDonald said that developing the airspace above the club’s property would deliver a new club with exceptional facilities to members.
‘‘Under the proposal, Skye Pacific will provide Hurstville RSL Club with a loan to prevent the club being placed into voluntary administration and a 20 per cent profit share from the redevelopment,’’ he said.
‘‘The Skye Pacific offer allows the club to retain its property, its identity and its place in the local community as a family oriented entertainment destination.
‘‘A childcare facility would also enable the club to broaden its income stream, ensuring operations are less reliant on poker machine revenue and providing a viable business model going forward.
‘‘The proposed outdoor restaurant area will significantly enhance the club’s facilities and provide an eating venue with a real point of difference to others in the Kogarah-Hurstville area.’’
Mr McDonald, who has connections in the local community, said he was approached by concerned club members to put in a joint development proposal as a means of saving the club.
He said the joint re-development venture as offered by Skye Pacific was contemplated in the board’s notice to members on March 13 and should be considered properly and voted upon by club membership.
The notice was published after the failed merger attempt with Marrickville RSL.
The notice said:
‘‘The application approved by members to amalgamate with Marrickville RSL has been determined by the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority and has not been approved.
‘‘At this stage the reasons for not approving the application have not been announced.
‘‘The board of directors are researching options available to the club including voluntary administration, amalgamation with another club, and possible development of club land.’’
■ Hurstville RSL would not comment or name a meeting date although more than the requisite 100 members have signed the requests to convene a general meeting.
South Hurstville did not offer any information either.
There is a rumour that a board meeting was held this morning, June 18.
QUESTION: What do you think of the proposal? Do you know more?
