Wynnum Manly Leagues Club in turmoil as ‘mini casino’ plan sparks bid to overthrow board

A major Brisbane sporting club is in chaos after a special meeting was called in a bid to oust the current board and thwart a proposed $10 million redevelopment plan that some members believe will turn the community asset into a ‘mini casino’.

The Wynnum Manly Leauges Club is in chaos after some members called an urgent meeting.

A LEADING Brisbane sporting club is in turmoil after a bitter dispute between its members over the future direction of the club and a $10 million redevelopment plan.

A group of Wynnum Manly Leagues Club members have called an extraordinary general meeting next week in a bid to overthrow chairman Bruce Baxter and board directors John Quinn, Peter Smith and Marnie Burns.

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It comes after four board members resigned within a week in April over leadership and a proposed expansion they fear is “financially risky” and a number of senior financial and managerial staff have left the club.

There has been an exodus of staff and board members at Wynnum Manly Leagues Club.

Mr Baxter, who has been at the helm of the board since 2014, said the current disharmony was “disappointing”.

“The disruptive actions by a small group is unnecessary and unfortunate,” Mr Baxter said.

“The current board has a strong financial strategy in place to ensure the club remains viable and strong to support rugby league and the wider community into the future.”

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In flyers circulated to the club’s community, upset members said the instability of the board was jeopardising the club’s future.

“The resignation of four members of a board of six within seven days is a sign that something is wrong,” the flyer read.

“This needs to be taken seriously.”

Last week the club, which has 26,000 members, received the green light for a $10 million development application to expand the club with a new grand foyer, lounge and bar space, and more dining and entertainment.

The club, that has also just completed a $4.2 million renovation of its Fielders club at Tingalpa, has received pre-finance approval for $14 million for the redevelopment.

The current board says the expansion will ‘transform the club’ that was established in 1981.

Mr Baxter said the expansion was an important project that would “transform the club and provide a modern and inclusive home for the whole community”.

But with $1.5 million in debt still hanging over the club from the Fielders redevelopment, some members believe the move is risky.

Geoffrey Hicks has been a member of the club since 1996 and is one of four vying for a spot on the board, saying members needed more transparency and communication.

He believes the redevelopment would put the club on a path to becoming a mini casino.

“I don’t believe the club’s financial position is strong enough yet to warrant a $14 million loan,” he said.

“I don’t believe the bayside community needs any more poker machines.”

The club currently has 230 poker machines in operation but has approval for 300.

Mr Baxter said the strategy to increase gaming machines was “simply keeping in line with other clubs”.

“There is a lot of competition out there and we are doing everything we can to make sure Wynnum Manly Leagues Club remains successful,” he said.

“It’s important to remember that the board directors are all volunteers. Everything this board does is in the best interest of all members and for the encouragement of Rugby League and our community.”

Mr Hicks, along with ex-board members Paul Asher, John Dempsey and Russell Watkins will challenge the current board for leadership at the meeting on July 29.