Breach behind shock sports club closure

A longtime Gold Coast institution has been closed by council following a breach of lease.

THE Gold Coast City Council has closed the doors on a longtime Coolangatta institution after it failed to address breaches of its lease.

The Kirra Sports Club, located at the Len Park Oval at the border of Queensland and NSW, now stands empty after the owners were issued with an immediate lease termination on June 29.

It is understood the property was managed by the McKenzie family for the past 34 years as a food and entertainment venue.

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Kirra Sports club has closed. Picture Glenn Hampson

Previous manager Grant McKenzie had handed the management of the club over to his brother Jason at the end of last year.

The venue was temporarily closed on March 24 this year because of the coronavirus social distancing measures.

“Sorry to say kirra sports is closed by order of Anastasia Palisades (sic),” management posted on the club’s official Facebook page in March.

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“Trivia is not on any longer at Kirra Sports untill (sic) the government believes all clubs and hotels restaurants are once again safe for the public.”

On June 24, the club announced online that it was planning to reopen. Days later a notice of the club’s closure and subsequent sale of furniture was announced.

No details explaining the closure were shared.

Gold Coast City council said the Kirra Sports club received breach notices in May but failed to remedy its concerns. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“End of lease sale it’s the end of an era. Everything must go,” the notice read.

“Please don’t message, just come on the day eftpos available or cash.”

Jason McKenzie did not return phone and text messages requesting comment. Grant McKenzie declined to comment.

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A spokesman for the GCCC said the club received breach notices in May but failed to remedy the situation.

“The club has been asked to remove all property, return keys and leave the facility in a clean and tidy condition by 13 July 2020,” the spokesman said.

While no decision or process has started to find a new tenant, Coolangatta Tweed Heads Australian football Club president John Lavender said the club was keen to take over the lease.

A man seen packing his car in the club car park. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“The sports club was originally established to house and support our footy club,” he said. “Over the years it has lost its way somewhat.

“As a football club we are excited about the opportunity to run the sports club and make it a family friendly club for all our members and local supporters.

“Hopefully we will get the support of State Government, council and the local community.”