Hanwood Sports Club
AN ICONIC local club is on the market after its new board made a desperate bid to secure a brighter future for the ill-fated facility.
Despite years of impending doom, the new board of the Hanwood Sports Club has grand plans to return the facility to the thriving social hub it once was starting by clearing the club's monumental debt.
Club treasurer Chint Quarisa said the board last month made the call to sell the club premises and buildings in order to wipe out the "huge burden of debt" and keep the doors open.
"We have to get people through the doors and we want to show that we have a new club with new energy," Mr Quarisa said.
"There was no way known the club was going to work its way out of its financial situation.
"What does it matter who owns the building, as long as we keep the doors open and keep providing a service."
In an effort to attract more patrons, the club has employed Tom and Rosa Diselli to serve meals on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
It will also host a fun-packed entertainment night from 7pm tomorrow featuring live music from popular talent Glenn Starr and his band Infinity and a courtesy bus leaving from the Griffith Post Office from 6pm.
Mr Quarisa also hoped to get a Blue Light Disco up and running on Saturday afternoons and wanted to encourage people to consider the venue for weddings, Christmas parties and other private functions.
"We're looking for support the trouble with little clubs is the fixed costs are enormous and we make little income," he said.
"This weekend will be a good start, I guarantee that anyone who comes will enjoy themselves."
Last November, the club's board placed the club in voluntary administration after the Australian Taxation Office called in a debt of close to $140,000.
The club's total debt including money owed to banks and other creditors amounted to about $850,000.
Now in the hands of Griffith Real Estate, the property is being offered for sale with a lease back of five years.
Griffith Real Estate director Tony Santolin said there was potential to subdivide part of the land in School Street for residential allotments, subject to council approval.
"The board believes this is the best thing for members and they are moving forward to help protect the club's future and to make it viable," Mr Santolin said.
"There is no time like the present to buy and people can see the opportunity here it is the best time to be buying."
Mr Santolin said he was talking to a number of parties and that the sale was for the freehold title and land.