Manurewa RSA set to close down

Nikki Preston

Manurewa RSA will close its door permanently this month and discussions are under way with prospective buyers about selling the Maich Rd clubrooms.

Confirmation of the imminent closure comes as some members who oppose the sale are urgently calling on the RSA national body to intervene.

In a letter to Manurewa RSA members last week, club secretary manager Dave Fenton confirmed the last day of trading would be Saturday, May 19. He said they already had six offers for the property.

Fenton said the property had to be sold because of the RSA’s financial circumstances, some of which were historical and dated back to 2010.

“The reality is if we do nothing, the liquidators come in. We are managing the debts at this time and if the liquidators come in then we leave here with nothing.”

He declined to go into detail about what had caused the financial crisis.

Fenton said that once the property was sold and debts were paid, the net profits would go into a trust fund and a decision would be made whether Manurewa RSA could still run.

Fenton acknowledged there were some disgruntled members, but said it was the best option for the club.

“They would crucify us if the liquidators came in. We are trying to do the best we can to save what we can and our dignity with it and all they want to do is crucify us and criticise us.”

The decision to sell follows a ballot of returned and service members over whether to sell the building. The final ballot results were 154 votes or 80.6 per cent in favour of the property being sold and 37 votes or 19.4 per cent against.