Sandgate RSL and bowls club close

IT’S the end of an era for a Brisbane community with the immediate closure of the local RSL and bowls club due to a $1.4 million debt.

Sandgate RSL Memorial Club has been voted into liquidation and is closed for good. Picture: Michelle Smith

IT’S the end of an era in Sandgate with the immediate closure of the RSL Memorial Club (known as Club Sandgate) and Sandgate Bowls Club due to a $1.4 million debt.

At a meeting of creditors at 10am today (January 9), the club was voted into liquidation with the Australian Taxation Office as a major creditor.

Club Sandgate president Neil Inglis said they were devastated by the decision.

“It is with regret that we advise that the Sandgate RSL Memorial Club Inc trading as Club Sandgate will close its doors for good,” he said.

“The bowls club will eventually be able to apply to get their lease back but for now they are closed.

“The memorial club got itself into financial strife between 2012 and 2015 and it was put into administration.

“Unfortunately, under the new management and committee, despite two and a half years of blood, sweat and tears, the club has been unable to trade its way out of the $1.4 million debt it finds itself in.

Sandgate Bowls Club has also been closed but will be able to apply to get their lease back. Picture: Michelle Smith

“Personally we are all very disappointed that the immense efforts of the management, committee and staff over the last two and a half years have come to nothing. There ends a community asset of over 50 years.

“It is also sad to see that straight after an election based on a platform of jobs and small business, 42 staff have lost their jobs and another small business in Sandgate, that has supported the local economy and suppliers, closes its doors.

“UBET will continue to operate out of the building for the immediate future without the bar facilities.

“I thank all members, staff, businesses and members of the community for their loyal support, but we could not overcome the difficulties we inherited,” Mr Inglis said.

Sandgate RSL Sub Branch president Ken Mayes said the current committee couldn’t trade its way out of the insurmountable debt it took over in 2015.

“The club is not economically viable due to the insurmountable debt the current committee took over,” Mr Mayes said.

“The Sub Branch, in all good conscience, could not go into further debt on behalf of the Memorial Club.

“Even if we had said we would, our state governing body would have not allowed us to and would have overturned the decision because it goes against our constitution.”

Mr Mayes said the Sub Branch would be looking for a new tenant for the building.

Originally published as Sandgate RSL and bowls club close