Wagga Wagga Leagues Club
Wagga Wagga Leagues Club was a facility founded in 1955 by the Wagga Magpies Football Club in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.[1][2][3]
History[edit]
In 1955, Magpies Football Club purchased an 8.5-acre (3.4 ha) block in Gurwood Street from the Wagga Wagga War Services Home Commission, who constructed a temporary clubhouse.[1] A new Rugby Leagues Club, Eric Weissel Oval and Tennis courts was constructed in 1959 with a second storey constructed on the club building in 1964.[1]
Financial difficulty[edit]
2003 Wagga Wagga Leagues Club president, Brian Lawrence announced that the club was in $4 million in debt. March 2003 Queensland Clubs Management and Melbourne Storm owner John Ribot offered a $4 million package to clear the club's debts however the founding president of the Wagga Wagga Leagues club, Jack Murphy was concerned that the club's debts was from poor management.[4] 20 March 2003 disgruntled leagues club members requested an explanation from the leagues club's board of directors about the $4 million rescue package offered by John Ribot.[5]
1 April 2003 extraordinary meeting by disgruntled members which was to call on the removal of four leagues directors was postponed after the Leagues Club signing the deal from John Ribot.[6] New South Wales Gaming Minister Grant McBride was concerned about the rescue deal by Queensland Clubs Management who ordered a review of commercial arrangements of the deal.[7] 1 August 2003, Leagues Club president dismissed the Prime News report that the club's board members voted for the club to be placed under voluntary administration and also denied that Queensland Clubs Management walked away from the deal,[8] however the club was placed under an administrator (Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu) after the "belief the club is insolvent, or likely to become insolvent".[9]
Closure[edit]
28 June 2004 Leagues club Board member Gary Barton announced that Queensland Club Management would withdraw its rescue deal and would meet with creditors to look at options for the club's future.[10] On 28 June 2004 the club announced that its doors would close for the final time after the Queensland Clubs Management withdrew its financial support.[11] 5 July 2004 creditors voted to place the Leagues Club under liquidation after the club lost its financial support.[12]
Sale[edit]
In 2005, the Wagga Magpies merged with Turvey Park Lions to form the South City Bulls.
In April 2005, the Leagues Club building, Eric Weissel Oval and Allen Staunton Oval was sold for $1.3 million to a private consortium.[13][14]
Christian college[edit]
In November 2006 New South Wales Board of Studies granted a 12-month provisional registration for a Christian school to set up in the former Leagues Club building.[15]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Morris, Sherry (1999). Wagga Wagga, a history. Wagga Wagga: Bobby Graham Publishers. p. 259. ISBN 1-875247-12-2.
- ^ "New Wagga club mooted". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 23 May 2005. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
- ^ "Funds pledged for new sporting club plan". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 23 May 2005. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
- ^ "Push on for leagues club changes". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 14 March 2003. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
- ^ "Leagues club members ask for please explain". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 21 March 2003. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
- ^ "Leagues club meeting postponed". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 1 April 2003. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
- ^ "Concerns aired over leagues club rescue deal". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 3 July 2003. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
- ^ "Leagues club rejects administration claims". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 1 August 2003. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
- ^ "Efforts on to keep club out of private hands". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 4 August 2003. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
- ^ "Leagues club may close for good". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 28 June 2004. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
- ^ "Leagues club no more from tonight". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 29 June 2004. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
- ^ "Hope remains for troubled leagues club". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 6 July 2004. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
- ^ "Wagga's Eric Weissel oval sold". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 13 April 2005. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
- ^ "Govt won't bail out troubled clubs". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 14 April 2005. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
- ^ "Green light for Christian college". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 14 November 2006. Retrieved 3 May 2008.