Since Norths Collective took over management of the Bangalow Bowling Club in June of 2023, The Echo asked Norths Collective CEO how promises made prior to amalgamation were progressing.
The Bangalow community was divided on whether Norths should amalgamate with the club. Then club president, Rowan Keast, warned at the time of the club’s shaky financial position. ‘We are not moving to the next level as we’d hoped and planned for in our strategic vision,’ he told members in April 2022.
Objectors feared losing local ownership of the asset, and an increase in pokies for the venue, given Norths own five clubs across the east coast, including the large Seagulls Club in Tweed Heads West
The Echo reported on September 22, 2022 that a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Norths and the club included a ‘strict limits on pokies’.
While Norths described taking over the club as an ‘amalgamation’ (as pursuant to the Registered Clubs Act 1976), Professor Linda Hancock, a researcher with over 20 years’ international experience and specialist in gambling public policy, described it as a takeover at the time.
She wrote in The Echo on August 25, 2022 that, ‘What is now a community, member-owned, asset on prime land will be transferred to Norths, who insist their merger model requires all assets to be transferred to Norths’.
Improvements
Norths CEO Luke Simmons told The Echo a further member and community consultation will be carried out before being in a position to lodge a DA in 2024 for ‘master planning work to continue for further renovations’.
He said, ‘We will continue to make ongoing improvements inside, but also to continue to enhance the outside areas. We put over $60,000 of furniture in mid year, too.
‘Our early aim has not been to change the fabric of the rustic club away from what has made it such a loved place for such a long time. As we learn more of what our community likes as we enter 2024, we will continue to plan out more renovations and enhancements to ensure we remain relevant for decades to come’.
‘The amalgamation between Norths Collective and the Bangalow Bowling Club came into formal effect on June 15, 2023.
‘Soon after, The Bowlo Board commenced the wind-up proceedings of the old company, which involved a lengthy legal process. Norths Collective has paid out close to $500,000 worth of bowling club debt and covered several additional expenses before and at the time of the transfer’.
Completed items
Mr Simmons supplied The Echo with a list of items that have either been completed, or were in the process of being completed to improve the club.
Completed items include upgrading the food and beverage point of sale system, ‘commence re-engagement with sporting team representatives’, and ‘meet with sporting team representatives on assistance needs’. Additionally, ‘over $35,000 already spent on community and sporting needs’.
A group loyalty program has been introduced, he says, as well as a community points program.
A ClevaQ table ordering system has been installed, as well as an upgrade of the CCTV system (which is part of ongoing ‘safety, security and insurance needs’).
In July 2023, Mr Simmons says a phone app was launched, and the Seven Rooms table booking system, and Ivvy event management system, was installed.
The website was upgraded in mid-August.
‘Owing to the late approval process, minor improvement works scheduled have been held [over] to commence in January, owing to an extremely busy Christmas season.
‘[These are] Toilet air extraction, outdoor club presentation, landscaping, plant and equipment changes. These are part of the general works that will see the club maintained without disrupting operations or limiting access.
‘In addition to over $35,000 in grants already paid, we have also assisted the sporting teams with $15,000 worth consultancy support in funding state government grant applications, with ongoing co-contributions for each government grant on non-club property.
‘This is something we will continue to commit resources toward, so the community is supported well into the future with infrastructure and facilities that grow participation and engagement’.
Busy trade
Mr Simmons added, ‘The membership has entrusted Norths Collective with the club’s future, and we are incredibly thankful that the Bangalow community has embraced the club, with trade busier than it has been for many years.
‘We have increased trading days within the week, and we look forward to keeping the club relevant to the community, with continuous improvement under the strong stewardship of club manager, Chris Watson’.
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