Helensburgh club to sell land

The administrator of Helensburgh Workers' Sports and Social Club has applied to have some of its property rezoned so it can be sold off to cover some of the club's $4 million debts.Administrator Ken Whittingham, from PKF Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors, said yesterday an application had been made to have three parcels of land in Park Ave, now home to the Helensburgh Bowls Club, bowling green and car park, rezoned to a mix of commercial and residential.Ideally the bowls club and car park would be sold, but the bowling green retained, he said.Mr Whittingham also ruled out the possibility of the club, which was placed in administration in February, merging with another club as it was now hoped it could trade its way out of debt.The renewed optimism follows a successful month, partly due to the appointment of Coogee restaurateur Brenton McHatton to revamp the club's catering, entertainment and community links. Mr McHatton formerly worked for the Hemmes family's Merivale hospitality group.The club is now sponsoring the Helensburgh Tigers, whose coach Stuart Webb and girlfriend actor Kate Ritchie often visit the club for after-game drinks.A new caterer, Phil Maynard, has also been brought in to revamp the kitchen with modern brasserie-style food.On Anzac Day the club was forced to turn away guests as the venue reached capacity.In light of this success, Mr Whittingham lifted a four-week deadline, imposed in March, for the club to meet its financial obligations to creditors or face a merger or liquidation.Last year the club moved into its new purpose-built $5.5 million building on Boomerang St, which features a large outdoor dining area and children's playground. After the move, the club sold its Walker St premises for $1.4 million, despite it being valued at $3.15 million. The sale partly accounted for the club's disastrous financial position.