Club looks at pub takeover
The Warragul Industrial Football Netball Club is negotiating the possible takeover and operation of the Club Hotel in Warragul.
Club president Ron Wood has confirmed the club’s interest and that it was seriously looking into the proposal.
A planning application to Baw Baw Shire to amend the status of the premises at 51 Queen St from hotel to a “restricted place of assembly and change to the liquor licence” was lodged by the hotel’s owners, Haggerston Nominees, on February 16.
The Club Hotel operates 30 Electronic Gaming Machines (pokies) as well as a general hotel and restaurant.
The application to council indicated there were negotiations taking place but didn’t specify the club involved.
If approved it would change the premises’ status from a general hotel to that of a licenced club.
Mr Wood said a sub-committee had been formed by Warragul Industrials’ board of management to undertake a risk assessment and make a recommendation to the board.
The sub-committee is comprised of Dale Bainbridge, Michael Hodge, Neville Huggett and George Avon, all experienced in running hotels and/or gaming venues, and prominent Warragul businessman Jim Kubale.
Mr Wood said the club was looking at the venture as a means of securing its long-term future and had been offered a 20-year lease of the hotel.
Warragul Football Club president Chris Blackwood said his club was approached almost 12 months ago to gauge its interest in joining Warragul Industrials in a joint venture to operate the Club Hotel.
However, the WFC subsequently decided not to become involved although Mr Blackwood said it had no qualms with Industrials, its winter cotenant at Warragul’s Western Park, going ahead.
Based on the information available at the time there were concerns about the longer-term risks to the club and its members, he said.
Documents lodged with the application to council indicate that one of the Industrials’ sub-committee members, Mr Hodge, had preliminary discussions with council officers on behalf of the hotel owners and the club prior to last May.
The documents also indicated the current lease on the hotel is due to expire on July 1 this year.
Legal advice also tendered to council by the owner stated a change to a licenced club would have no impact on the right to have the same number of gaming machines.
The Gazette understands Haggerston Nominees was prepared to assist WIFNC with a loan, repayable over a number of years, to establish the business.
If the WIFNC board decides to proceed after its sub-committee makes its report there will need to be a special general meeting of members to endorse the proposal and approve necessary changes to the club’s constitution.