Narrabri Bowling Club is on the way to a new era.
Meetings of members on Saturday voted to sell the club’s motel, the Club Motor Inn, to discharge liabilities and look to the future.
While the Motor Inn will be sold, the bowling club will retain the assets of club house, greens and poker machine entitlements.
A packed club auditorium was a testament to the members’ interest in the future of their club which has been an important part of the Narrabri sporting and social fabric for decades.
The club went into voluntary administration in April last year and has been subsequently operating under a Deed of Company Arrangement while its finances and future have been assessed.
Members voted on the future of the Narrabri Bowling Club at two separate meetings on Saturday.
And the future of the club now rests with the support from members.
At the annual general meeting, members voted to approve the sale of the Club Motor Inn.
Resolutions relating to the financial year 2020 annual report were passed.
A new board of directors was formed comprising president Colin Armstrong, vice president Ron Ryan, David Briggs, David Dewar, Eva Sadler, Marie Redman and Anthony Welchman.
The board’s power remains suspended while the Deed Administrator’s role continues.
The Deed Administrator will now turn his attention to exchanging contracts for the sale of the Club Motor Inn.
“A buyer has been found following the sale campaign that elicited very pleasing interest in the sale, with about 50 confidentiality agreements signed, nine expressions of interest received and a very competitive final round of offers,” the Deed Administrator Alan Hayes said.
“The sale of the Club Motor Inn is expected to be exchanged soon and completed by July 2021 following the completion of the subdivision by the Narrabri Shire Council and the NSW Land Registry Services registration of the subdivision.
“The financial liabilities of the club, including the secured bank, will be paid following the Club Motor Inn’s sale and in accordance with the Deed of Company Arrangement approved by creditors.
“The club’s assets following the motel’s sale will include the clubhouse, three bowling greens, poker machine entitlements and surplus monies, the quantum of which is subject to tax payable following the motel’s sale”.
The bowling club board president Colin Armstrong said the board wanted the club to be a community recreation facility which would attract families.
“The future of the club will rely on the support of the members” he said.
The board will be looking at what changes can be achieved to draw people to the club.
A principal aim will be ‘to keep bowls going’.
However, the sale of the Club Motor Inn needs to be signed off before further steps can be taken by the new board.
Meanwhile, the lady bowlers are planning another fund raising morning tea at the club on Friday morning to support the club and attract members back.
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