Byron Bay Football Club may finally get the funds to complete its new clubhouse, with Byron councillors to consider loaning the club $200,000 at this week’s meeting.
The club is in the midst of building what they say is a much-needed new facility at the Byron Bay Recreation Grounds, having raised more than $1 million through government grants and community donations.
But a $200,000 shortfall has put the club’s opening plans in jeopardy, because leaving the project uncompleted for any substantial length of time could see costs blow out. A mayoral motion proposed in this week’s Council meeting agenda asks that a loan of $200,000 be provided to help get the project over the line.
The notice of motion proposes a ten-year period for the loan at an interest rate of 4.94 per cent, the same rate that Council is able to borrow at from the NSW Treasury corporation.
Such arrangements are not uncommon in local government and, with the clubhouse being built on Council-managed land, the proposed loan has received a tick from the Council’s Finance Manager, pending the usual due diligence checks.
The club has over 650 playing members and connects with over 2,500 Byron locals through family and friends.
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