Toowoomba Sports Club year of ups and downs
New legislation and street scape aside, city club enjoys successful year
FOR the membership of the Toowoomba Sports Club there was good news and not so good news at the club’s AGM.
Board chairman Greg McIntyre told members that although profits were down on the previous year, the club was forging ahead with refurbishments and was acquiring the Metropole Hotel next door for expansion.
He cited the “Safe Night Precinct” legislation as having a significant impact.
“The Toowoomba Sports Club is one of only three major clubs in Queensland that are caught by the Safe Night Out legislation,” he said.
“This required the club to operate network scanning equipment and scan all patrons entering the venue from 10pm.
“Since this program’s inception, the club has seen a decrease in patronage from 10pm onwards and additional operating costs which will amount to approximately $170,000 per annum because of staffing and equipment costs.”
He also cited the Ruthven St beautification and the Grand Central construction as having taken a toll.
“These works (beautification) took place from November last year to July 2017.
“This caused a number of problems for the club as they reduced the number of car parks in the local area and the road works were noisy and disruptive.
“The end result is that there is less taxi and disabled access to the club which, given the general age of our members, does make accessing the club more difficult.
“Also during this period, Grand Central was under refurbishment and during that period 700 car parks
We live here ‘cos we love it!
❝ The end result is that there is less taxi and disabled access to the club.
could not be used which impacted the whole of the CBD.”
However, the good news was that although down in margin, the Ruthven St club still reported an annual profit of just under $850,000.
Mr McIntyre paid tribute to the Canberra Raiders Group which was in partnership with the club.
The Toowoomba Sports Club was now debt free and, while the Raiders Group owned the building and the club paid it rent, the club owned the business and all fittings inside the building.