Page 34 - Summer2014Gazette

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Open meeting at the Club House
30th January 2015 to discuss the question
of a move to Norman Park
‘In recent years there has been
considerable thought given
to the problem of the Club,
effectively, operating from two
locations and to the fact that
there has been a steady decline
in the use of the facilities at the duly convened for January 30th
Clubhouse …
“We have looked, more
than once, at redeveloping
the premises … but have
been unable to identify an
economically effective and
affordable way of doing so …
“While Norman Park Track
Management were ultimately
successful in retaining the
contract to run the track, it
should be noted that the new
contract is capable of being
terminated at 6 months notice.
“We would need to redevelop
the existing facilities at
Norman Park to create a new
Clubhouse with facilities which
will not only ensure much
greater usage by members but
will also be able to generate
significant additional revenue
to enable us to ensure a
sustainable future”.
So reads a circular to all club
members from the Club
Secretary dated 24th November
2014 outlining the issue of
whether to stay in the existing
premises or to move to a new
clubhouse at Norman Park to
re-unite the club and secure
the long term future of the
track. The whole question of
the club moving its HQ from
the freehold site which it has
owned since 1926 was always
bound to attract plenty of
interest and so a meeting was
to encourage club members to
express their views and raise
concerns on that matter.
A large crowd attended,
probably the largest gathering
for anything of this nature
since the question of the
merger with Bromley AC was
considered in 2003.
In the chair were, representing
Norman Park Track
Management Chris Hilditch,
and for the club Committee
Chairman Tim Soutar,
President Dick Griffin and
Chair of Development Paul
Byfield. What came out of
the meeting appeared to be a
growing consensus of opinion
that this move could be a
means of revitalising the club.
It was indicated that any future taking over full responsibility
decisions would focus on
such areas as affordability, the maintenance of Norman
replacement of the freehold
by a leasehold arrangement,
financial planning,
management capability, club
heritage and accommodation
of our cross county courses,
areas which were discussed at
some length.
The floor was then thrown
open to questions arising
and matters of concern. For
those with such concerns
especially about giving up the
freehold site for a leasehold
property, this would not be
an easy decision given the
issue of whether the club
could be granted a sufficiently
long enough lease in a new
premises. One past president
expressed his concerns as
to how sufficient security of
tenure without strict conditions
attached could be attained.
In addition to this another
related issue was raised, that of
for the management and
Park Track. PP Ken Daniel
mentioned the impending