The existence of the Wagga Boat Club will be decided at its annual general meeting on Sunday.
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A message on Friday to all club members states that they will decide “whether the club continues to trade or cease trading effective immediately”.
“We require attendance of all current members to decide the future of the club,” it reads.
It comes as the club is scheduled to host its 50th anniversary on October 12 this year.
The club’s Commodore Mick Henderson said the potential to cease operations was due to financial losses, the outbreak of blue-green algae in Lake Albert last summer and lack of personnel support.
“The real potential to not be a club anymore is a flow on from the lake being closed in summer due to the algae,” Mr Henderson said.
“The early closure meant our non-income period extended to nine months.
The early closure meant our non-income period extended to nine months.
- Mick Henderson, Wagga Boat Club's Commodore
“Our major window of generating revenue is from September to May when the lake is operational, so once we lose a period in income, it becomes hard.”
The club’s 2017–18 financial report shows a loss of $70,908 compared with the $39,952 profit in the previous year.
Mr Henderson that the latest financial hardship was not unique, saying the fluctuations in financial returns had been a “pattern” in the past 25–30 years.
“It’s a seasonal thing with the lake and water – when it’s full and serviceable, we have a good return to the club,” he said.
Mr Henderson said another factor that had also impacted the club’s viability was the lack of personnel support.
“We’ve found that find that we needed more support from members during the year and not just summer,” Mr Henderson said.
“It’d be sad if we can’t hold the 50th, but this is a wake-up call for everyone in the community about whether they want the club or not.”
Similarly, life member Gilbert Cook said “my understanding is that it’s a lack of nominations to sit on the board”.
“The algae situation has also impacted financially,” he said.
“The club’s been drawing on its savings and putting on functions to raise funds.
“Some members have also donated with more than their memberships.”
Mayor expresses sympathies
Wagga mayor Greg Conkey expressed his sympathies for the club, saying “it’s a difficult time for them”.
“The club’s played a significant role in this city for a number of years and I certainly understand the difficulties they’re under,” he said.
Cr Conkey said that while it was not the council’s role to step in, he said “we’d be happy to discuss if they believe council can do something”.
Work in alleviating the algae outbreak is continuing, which includes capturing and diverting more rain water into Lake Albert to reduce the temperature and, therefore, the growth of algae.
“It’s an issue that affects all inland systems like Lake Albert,” Cr Conkey said.
“We’re not alone in this, but we’re looking at ways to increase flow into the lake with a couple of projects underway.”
The AGM is at 2pm Sunday at the Wagga Boat Club on Plumpton Road.