Bankstown RSL to close Bass Hill RSL due to massive losses
Bass Hill RSL, which is owned by Bankstown RSL, will close its doors for good but there will be no job losses, according to management.
The Express
Don't miss out on the headlines from The Express. Followed categories will be added to My News.
In a big blow to local community, Bass Hill RSL will close its doors on September 1, with the last function being Father’s Day celebrations.
The move, which has come as a shock to many locals, has been in the pipeline following considerable losses each month incurred by owners, Bankstown RSL.
Bankstown RSL CEO Scott Dickson said it was a very tough decision to make to close down Bass Hill RSL which has been around for than 60 years.
Bass Hill RSL sub-branch president Ron Duckworh said it is a very sad time for them but vowed “we will survive and continue”.
“It’s terribly sad as no one wants to ever do this,” Mr Dickson said.
“However, we have been losing more than $35,000 every month and there has been a steady decline (in sales) over the past few years.
“Bass Hill RSL was liquidated in 1998 prior to Bankstown RSL acquiring it, we have spent between $6 to $7 million and it’s not sustainable now.
“Bass Hill RSL was broke when we purchased it,” Mr Dickson said
END OF AN ERA
Annie Kite, who has been a member of the club for more than 45 years, said it was an end of an era for her and the community.
“I have been going there with my family since I was in my 20s and have spent many memorable days there,” Ms Kite said.
“The Bass Hill RSL has always had a special feeling and you always knew you will meet someone there.
“The staff have also been there for a long time and are very loyal.
“My dad’s brother, Colin Johnson was the manager of the club for many years.
“I can totally understand why the club is closing as it’s become very quiet now.
“The problem is that so many of the patrons, like my family members, are no longer alive and the younger members want some glitz and glamour from their clubs.
The closure means that Bass Hill RSL sub-branch which has been operating from the premises it once owned for 65 years, will now have to move to a new place.
Mr Duckworth said they have secured a room at Chester Hill RSL to run their office and will meet on the fourth Sunday of each month.
The sub-branch has more than 100 members and have been operating from the club — which it owned previously — for 65 years.
“This is a big change for us, having to move, but we will survive,” Mr Duckworh said.
“Campsie RSL, which owns Chester Hill RSL, has offered us a room to run our sub-branch.
“We sold the club to Bankstown RSL in 1998 because we had run into difficulties and Bankstown RSL did a lot of work to renovate the place.
“Unfortunately they are not prepared to do any more work.”
Mr Dickson said the main two factors which contributed to their losses was Bankstown Sports Club’s amalgamation with Birrong Sports and Campsie RSL buying Chester Hill Bowling Club and Chester Hill RSL.
This, he said, affected Bass Hill RSL’s sales badly.
IN OTHER NEWS
“Being much smaller than Bankstown Sports and Campsie RSL, we just could not prop up Bass Hill RSL anymore,” Mr Dickson said.
“We called for expressions of interest in July and did not get a single expression to take over the club.
“It shows how difficult it is in this market.”
Mr Dickson said they will now look at selling the site.
Because most of the Bass Hill RSL staff also work at Bankstown RSL, he said there will be no loss of jobs.
Bankstown RSL opened its new clubhouse in January and are building a 250-room hotel.