Era ends as RSA closes its doors
After a tumultuous few years, the South Canterbury Returned and Services Association closed its doors for the final time last night.
It was a ‘‘sad day’’ for the association, which has been plagued with missing medals, lack of new members and financial strain.
Members voted to sell the premises last April, deciding on yesterday as the last day of trading.
There were no challenges or disputes over the closure at a final meeting with the executive and working group held on Thursday night, South Canterbury RSA president Greg Adams said.
‘‘That day [last day of trading] has come.’’
Adams said the writing had been on the wall for some time and the organisation had even borrowed money to stay open. The debt had been repaid and money left over had been secured for any potential amalgamation with another club. No decisions had been made on that.
As far back as 2015 persistent losses led to proposals to change location, sell some of its land or merge with the Timaru Town and Country Club, but they were all rejected by members.
Adams said he was pretty ‘‘gutted’’ as he had been coming to the RSA, in a different building originally on Church St, with his father since he was 18 and has fond memories.
‘‘It’s a sad day . . . It’s the end of an era . . . once you lose it you don’t get it back.’’
He said the RSA could not remain open as it would be considered irresponsible trading as it was not making any money, despite having 460 members. It was hard to attract new members and current members were ageing.
The RSA had been a social place for older people in the community.
The office would remain open for now, and a cleanup crew would make a decision over the next month on what to do with the chattels, which included three snooker tables.
Yedo Investments, which is owned by former Timaru District mayor Damon Odey and his father Robert Odey, tendered for the building last October and rents it back to the RSA at the peppercorn rate of 10 cents a month. Under the terms of agreement RSA must give one month’s notice of leaving.