AN ADMINISTRATOR is set to be appointed to the Millicent and District Community Club today after ratification by club members and management committee members.
The doors closed on the debt-laden community club on Tuesday morning after almost 54 years of continuous trading.
The public was informed of the management committee’s decision to place the enterprise into voluntary administration via a sign placed at 11.30am on its Davenport Street front entrance.
About 30 minutes earlier, the management committee members had met at the premises.
The closure notice was accompanied by a typed letter from management committee chairman Matt Hann who has held the role since 2011.
Mr Hann cited trading difficulties for the decision.
His management committee has held several meetings in recent days since it arranged a public meeting on August 29.
Attended by 90 and lasting two hours, the financial plight of the club had been laid bare.
It had a loan with Wattle Range Council of $194,000, creditors were owed $173,000 and manager Roger Andrews was using his personal credit card to purchase stocks of alcohol for the club.
When news of the closure was announced on The South Eastern Times Facebook page, there was an immediate outpouring of support for the 15 employees whose livelihoods are now in jeopardy.
There were many messages of regret on Facebook about the loss of a Millicent institution, as well as worries about the regular eight-ball matches.
Although no longer the manager, Mr Andrews still works at the club as a volunteer and under the direction of the management committee.
He said he was disappointed with the closure and attributed it to a lack of support from the community.
“It has to find a new way of doing business,” Mr Andrews said.
“The staff have been let go and the future of the scheduled shows is yet to be determined.”
Mr Andrews said it was important to realise the best value of the premises if they were to be sold.
He said a “white knight” or group with funds could re-build the business.
“It would need a sum of $250,000 to give it a new direction.
“Perhaps there might be 10 people who would take out debentures of $50,000 each and they could own the freehold.”
The Millicent Lions Club was due to hold its fortnightly dinner meeting at club on Tuesday night but used an alternative venue.
