Page 35 - Summer2014Gazette
P. 35
Club News 33
costs of relaying the track after that a move there would And so on. Of course nothing
and its ongoing six figure strengthen the unity of the final was determined on the
maintenance costs. club and improve its image to night and much still needs
Also it was asked what would outsiders. to be examined but in the
be the status of BHHQ if it If there was one voice that meantime it was resolved
no longer has a clubhouse to put up a strong argument for that the club should at least
manage in Hayes and would the club retaining its existing commission further work
it still exist after the move or premises in purely economic on a feasibility study to
would it have to be liquidated? terms it was that of PP Chris consider the practical aspects
Although Norman Park Haines, whose career in the of developing new premises
Management might prove club has spanned different eras. worthy of the club’s prestige
to be a viable alternative, in The ‘Wednesday Nighters’ he and status in a Norman Park
discussion it was suggested argued formed the backbone site. Could this be a crossing
that it might be subsumed of many social events and of the Rubicon then? Well,
by BHHQ which would be provided up to two thirds perhaps as Tim Soutar stated
the vehicle through which all of revenue to the club from it was not something alien to
facilities would be managed. donations, making significant the club’s past and any study
The issue of security contributions by way of of its history might well reveal
requirements around Norman subscriptions and legacies. that “we had indeed been
Park, and how this might Cross country was reviving, there before” and change was
greatly restrict the club’s access with more people attending “something that had to be
to hosting late night social winter races particularly the re- made then but was ultimately
functions, was also raised. But vamped 10km championships, not regretted”.
it was suggested that specially now a mob match in its own
designed premises could contain right with over 100 runners If we had been ‘there’ before
more of the facilities which the paying to take part. With these without detrimental effect,
club now needs and generate events and others the social then in contemplating such a
a substantial annual income scene of the club benefitted move as this the club would
against the existing shortfall. and the club house was still be honouring its past heritage,
Moving to Norman Park might, being used and enjoyed by not rejecting it.
argued Mike Skinner have a many. Any move to Norman
similar effect on the club as Park, he concluded, must Wilf Orton
that of some top premiership include properly integrated
football clubs moving to new plans for cross country and the (The Editor acknowledges the
grounds with modern up to date needs of these members. contributions of PP Tim Soutar, PP
facilities which had given them Chris Haines and Dave Appleton VP
a new lease of life.
A message from Adam Gemili in completion of this report.)
was read out in support of
the motion for moving HQ
to Norman Park saying that a
Norman Park facility would
be a great boost to the club.
Other opinions expressed
