Hakoah Club clarifies White City redevelopment will be open to all

The group behind the White City redevelopment has clarified a vital aspect of its membership rules after questions were raised over $15m in public cash grants.

Hakoah Club has revealed locals will soon be invited to start applying for membership even if they don’t know anyone in the long running Jewish club.

The $65 million redevelopment of White City into a world class sporting precinct has been largely funded by generous philanthropists from the Jewish community.

However this week the NSW government matched a grant from the federal government bringing it to a total of $15 million in public money.

An artist impression of the tennis courts.

More than 200 concerned locals have signed a petition demanding more information about how accessible the club will be to residents.

Hakoah Club president Steven Lowy exclusively told the Wentworth Courier last month memberships will start at just $5 a week.

In the wake of the second grant, the club has provided further information in a bid to allay community concerns.

Residents can contact the club via their website to express interest in joining.

If they don’t know a member to endorse them, the club will arrange a meet and greet to connect them with a member who can then provide the endorsement.

Non Hakoah members can rent tennis courts, enrol their child in a learn to swim lesson and join the gym which also boasts a lap pool.

Schools will be welcome to use the facilities for sports carnivals, community groups and clubs can book out courts and any children and their parents attending these events will not have to be members.

Supplied Editorial Artist impression of the new Hakoah Club for White City. Grandstand.

White City redevelopment project manager Robert Woolf said Hakoah hoped to sign the construction contracts late this year.

“Is the club open for public membership, yes,” Mr Woolf said.

“Once conditions precedent have been met and construction commences the club will be seeking membership of local residents and broader public. Gym memberships will go on sale closer to expected opening in second half 2023.

“The Paddington community is a high priority. It will also be in the local community interest for as many members as possible to arrive by foot”.

Woollahra councillor Harriet Price has long lobbied on behalf of locals wanting to ensure they would have access the impressive redevelopment once completed.

Cr Price welcomed the announcement the club would not require community members be referred by existing members but said it was disappointing the detail was only being revealed now.

Cr Harriet Price (right) at a meeting with local residents outside White City in 2020. (AAP/Image Matthew Vasilescu)

“It is vital to the success of the Club to be part of the Paddington community, especially when it is the recipient of such significant public funding,” Cr Price said.

“Real community access to the facilities and participation in the Paddington Greenway (which will link Paddington to the harbour for the benefit of all) are important markers of community participation and ought to be reciprocal to the benefits of those funds. I now strongly encourage the Club to transparently make that good.”

Vaucluse MP Gabrielle Upton announced the $7.5 million state government grant earlier this week.

“Hakoah Club has such a proud and strong history of community leadership in sport and recreation,” Ms Upton said.

“The funding will support them in that important role. It will also give my local community long awaited and badly needed additional recreational facilities at White City which has long been run down and under-utilised.”