Locals Chip In To Save Club

By Duncan Horscroft on September 10, 2015 in News

The changing face of the Eastern Beaches has seen many local clubs close in recent times due to lack of patronage, and the vacant recreational land left behind when a club ceases trading is a prime target for property developers.

One club fighting the good fight is the Maroubra Sports Club, formerly the Maroubra RSL Memorial Bowling Club, which was opened in 1960.

A new board was elected earlier this year and, realising the club was in dire straits, they voted to undertake a rescue package to keep the doors open.

The building is currently undergoing a major facelift and facilities director Robert Ugarte is confident once the renovations are complete the club will be a popular venue for people young and old, including mothers who can let their children play on the grounds while they have a coffee.

“We want to re-invent this club and make it a place for the community,” Mr Ugarte said. “We want to attract young people with art, music and good food. It will be a gaming-free club with no gambling facilities.”

Mr Ugarte said most of the work is being done by volunteers and some of the board members run the bar while the club is currently open from Friday to Sunday.

“We have a limited budget and we have relied on donations for things such as lighting. Hopefully we can attract a few more sponsors,” he said.

“So far community support has been good with volunteers helping to clean and tidy up. We’ve got a lot of volunteers but could do with a few more.”

“The board has great plans for how the space will be used – it will host multiple sports, a variety of functions, and lots of culture. We want to ensure that it will be an enjoyable space for friends and families in the years ahead.”

If you want to help save the Maroubra Sports Club and be a part of a wonderful community venture, give Robert a call on 0411 843 811.