Suburban Club set to close
The demise of the long-running Nelson Suburban Club has been lamented by those who worked, socialised and celebrated important milestones.
Faced with a falling membership and a financial squeeze, the club has announced that it will shut its doors at the end of the year, ending 47 years at its Tahunanui Drive site.
In an email to club members sent last week, president Pamela Coltman conveyed the news that many expected, but few wanted to hear.
‘‘Sadly with a heavy heart and on behalf of the board, I now have to advise you that the club has no option but to close the doors on this venue from 31 December 2017.
‘‘Unfortunately due to the downturn in the number of people visiting the club we are no longer able to continue to trade in this place. For those members who have kept the faith with the club through visiting and volunteering, I thank you for your loyalty.’’
Coltman, who could not be contacted for further comment, said in the email that members would be kept informed of any future decisions. However, she said it was not known how or if the club would be able to continue until all the information from the year’s trading was available.
In replies to the Nelson Mail online story, Facebook commenters said the closure was the end of an era. They had fond memories of housie, wedding receptions, seeing former Prime Minister Helen Clark speak and sharing meals with families and friends.
Karen Levesque wrote: ‘‘So sad to read. This place has been a part of my family’s life for 47 yrs. We grew up behind it and my Dad was such a huge part of it. Both my girls learnt line dancing there ... and my sister got married there.’’
A number expressed disbelief that the club could not survive, given its membership.
The club formerly had about 5000 members but following the emergence of financial problems in 2013 and talk of extra membership costs, numbers fell to under 3000. Its debt reached $2.7 million as the cost of the 2005 expansion combining with falling poker machine income and lower bar takings took their toll.
The club had tried various methods to curb its downturn in recent years, from trebling membership fees in 2014 to cutting back the bar’s opening hours in January.
After being put up for sale in December 2015, a division of Nelson group Gibbons Holdings purchased the club and its large commercial site in March with plans to develop the building as a Tahunanui retail hub.
A member, Eric Stewart, who first joined the club in 1974 and had held various executive positions, was confident that the club would bounce back.
‘‘I firmly believe that this is not the end – it’s just another stage in its evolution. It is disappointing that things are happening the way they are but times change, people’s attitudes and lifestyles change so that’s the way it goes.
‘‘Personally, I want to see it continue in any way it can because I believe in the club, what it stands for and what it does and if we have to downsize to start up again, then so be it – then gradually we can pick it up and get back to where we should be.’’
A club associate, who did not want to be named, said there had been talk of it moving to the nearby Ocean Lodge. There were also questions over who was responsible for any debt when the club closed.
Some members queried where the thousands of residual points gained from membership cards would go if the club did not reopen.
The Suburban Club’s closure also meant a shift of premises for the Nelson Returned and Services’ Association. President Dave Lawes confirmed the local branch would temporarily move across the road to the Tahunanui Bowling Club in the New Year.
The RSA’s administration office, based in the nearby Shone and Shirley building, would remain there.
‘‘I think everyone knew it was going to happen but, still ... it’s sad to see it happening.’’