Club Lennox could be dissolved and become part of Cherry Street Sports Club

The community-owned club is also discussing an 80 percent rent discount from the council.

Community-owned Club Lennox was created in 2013, when the Lennox Head community took ownership of the club.

Club Lennox is about to start negotiations with Cherry Street Sports Club for a possible amalgamation.

Under the proposal, the amalgamation would mean that Club Lennox would be dissolved due to financial hardship.

A statement published by the club’s general manager, David McKinnon, says Cherry Street Sports responded to a Club Lennox advertisement calling for expressions of interest to amalgamate.

“Club Lennox selected Cherry Street Sports as its preferred amalgamation partner,” the statement reads.

Negotiations will take place to prepare a Memorandum of Understanding between both clubs.

Once members of both clubs have approved the amalgamation, the clubs will then have to seek approval from Liquor & Gaming NSW.

Sources from Club Lennox and Cherry Street Sports Club confirmed the move, but declined to comment until details of the negotiation had been confirmed.

Club Lennox is set to bring the amalgamation proposal to members for its annual general meeting, set for November, at a date to be confirmed.

The club is home to 18 sports and social clubs.

Meanwhile, Club Lennox chairman Lindsay Clarke has written to Ballina Shire Council to ask for further rent reductions “in consideration of financial hardship”.

The council rents the Stewart Street building and a portion of the King Street road reserve to the club’s board for a total of $78,858 per year.

The club received a 50 per cent discount from the council until June 2021 as part of its Covid 2020 financial assistance package.

In the letter, dated July 1 2021, the board requested a 80 per cent rental relief for 12 months from that date.

Ballina Shire Councillors have not agreed to any further measures and instead voted unanimously on September 23 to “hold a briefing and invite representatives from Club Lennox to discuss the options moving forward”.

Club Lennox was created in 2013, when the Lennox Head community took ownership of the club.

The Lennox Head Community Sports and Recreation Club Limited stopped trading in November 2012 after its parent club, Ramsgate RSL Memorial Club, decided to close the venue.

The club underwent a process of de-amalgamation, rising from the ashes after the community raised about $200,000 to save their local bowlo.

The club is home to 18 sports and social clubs.