Wests Illawarra has officially added Corrimal Leagues Club and Port Kembla Golf Club to its corporate profile after the state gaming body gave the amalgamation the final green light.
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The club had been given provisional approval for the takeover from the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing in July, after receiving unanimous support from the Corrimal and Port Kembla clubs.
The office gave the amalgamation the final go-ahead last Friday, officially putting both clubs in Wests’ hands.
Wests is now in the process of winding up the two clubs’ assets and liabilities, which is expected to be finalised by the end of the month.
Port Kembla Golf Club members resolved last Friday to wind up the club and appoint a Sydney liquidator to manage its $9.6 million worth of assets.
Wests took over management of the Corrimal club in August last year, with debts of $1 million, and has since returned it to the black.
All existing staff at the Port Kembla and Corrimal sites are set to be offered work this week but Wests CEO Luke Walker said their rosters could change.
‘‘Both the clubs have previously been trading in the red so things do need to change,’’ he said.
‘‘We won’t be able to necessarily keep the same trading structure, the same days or hours because if you do the same thing, you’ll get the same result.
‘‘Our view is to offer all staff employment.’’
There are about 40 staff employed at the Port Kembla Golf Club and 16 at Corrimal.
Expressions of interest have also been called for a caterer for the Corrimal club.
Mr Walker said he had no specific plans for the new restaurant and was open to ideas.
‘‘It could be anything from a well-established restaurateur with a good reputation or someone from outside the area looking to trade here,’’ he said.
‘‘It could be a head chef who is currently employed in a club but is looking to head up their own team, we’ll just see what happens.’’
Wests is planning to refurbish both clubs to the tune of $1 million each, with work, subject to development consent, set to kick off by Christmas.
Mr Walker hoped the renovations would create more jobs down the track.
‘‘We’re really excited about the future of the group,’’ he said.
‘‘The members of both clubs have supported this right from the start; we’re keen to keep these two community facilities alive.’’