Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
Dear editor
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In response to website article “Dancers and bowlers oppose renovation plans to Cowra Services Club”.
I have been fortunate to have been a member of the Cowra Services Club for over 24 years now and have also been involved in the hospitality industry for all of that time as an employee, contractor or entertainer.
I have seen many changes in the industry over that time.
I wish to make a few points in regards to planned refurbishments at the Cowra Services Club.
They are long overdue and only a fraction of what needs doing.
The Club/Hotel industry is one of the most competitive in NSW.
Clubs have in recent years realised that with the expansion of gaming into Hotels as well as crippling taxes have seen the need to seek out “other” ways of keeping up in regards to revenue.
Most have found this by expanding their hospitality into motels, sporting facilities and an increased attention to dining and a more “family” atmosphere.
Clubs have managed to do this keeping their premises/facility fresh and modern.
It is fair to say that the Cowra Services club has all but ignored this over the last 20ish years and has copped much criticism as a result and this is where my concern begins.
The Club board is now hoping to upgrade their facility with a focus on improving the dining and entertainment section of their services.
They hope to create a more user friendly, family atmosphere as well as make changes that will make the auditorium area more functional and appealing from an entertainment point of view.
From a personal level I have performed on the stage several times and the makeup of the room makes it virtually impossible to deliver any sort of audience reactive show. It’s just not personal enough.
Also, the addition of multimedia facilities and a partionable space grows the club’s potential for multiple functions and takes the potential market into a new era. It’s all revenue.
Where there are pros there are always cons.
And please understand I have the utmost respect for those who are making their protest and I understand their reasons, however I am disappointed that it appears on the front page of our paper.
Why?
The Cowra Services Club in the last few years donated in excess of $100,000.00 per year to community organisations and events and many times more than that in return to their members by way of discounts, promotions and giveaways.
The club has had difficult times in recent years but remains the generous “go to” place for handouts and help to the many community groups that request it.
I would have hoped that a little more respect to this alone would have been enough to hold back from such a public display when it is an issue for members of the club, not the general community.
And that said there has already been compromise on the floor space after consultation through appropriate channels.
And it’s important to mention that the Bowlers have been falsely represented in the article.
To make an omelette you have to break a few eggs as unfortunate as that may be.
But unfortunately it comes down to the fact that it is ALL financial. It is no longer a case of just for the members.
It is a case of ensuring survival.
The Cowra Services Club has been hounded over and over about not progressing, about not keeping with the times.
They are trying to do this now and they deserve some credit.
Marc McLeish, Cowra
Consultation not done well
Dear Editor,
I am very disturbed at the plan to alter the auditorium of our Services Club.
The consultation process has not been very well done – as nobody knew of the proposal until a plan was presented.
The auditorium is well used with concerts, indoor bowls every week and dancing twice a month.
As a person who attends the dancing, I notice there are many people who just sit and listen to the good mood music and not dance.
If these functions did not occur then you could count the Club patrons on a Sunday night on the fingers of two hands.
The floor itself is one of the only parquetry floors in the region and is an excellent dance floor and should remain.
I wonder if in future the Services club will eliminate the squash courts and billiards areas as these are also activities enjoyed by the local community.
Michael Bonnor, Canowindra Rd, Cowra
Re-use and recycle ‘How to Vote’ material
Following the election, and some disappointments, and home truths, I would like to make my comments regarding recycling 'How To Vote' handouts at the booths.
As a Greens member, in previous years, we have been able to recycle 'How To Votes' from the bins (after the staff had retrieved them), and we would sort them. Recycling is an imperative these days. Trees are so essential for our air quality to say the least.
Now I do realise that the staff will eventually recycle whatever 'How To Vote' forms are thrown out, however, had they been given back to recycle during the voting, less forms would be used, therefore, less waste, and more trees saved.
Kay Binns, Gulgong