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In these days of austerity, unemployment, underemployment, Government cutbacks, general statewide belt tightening, and the pressure of living in a State in depression and a Federation in denial, Palmyra Rugby club have hit on three major initiatives to help support the club in paying for and retaining their player acquisitions into the future, where other clubs may encounter difficulties.
Firstly, the club has obtained Council permission to erect a surfboard storage facility and secure bicycle parking area at Tompkins Park. The surfboard facility, a brick and colourbond unit, to be built adjacent to the Cricket nets near the ground keeper's storage area, will initially have an area 80 square metres, with room for expansion as the need arises. Surf board racks, incorporating personal security (locking) devices, will enable patrons of the soon to be built state of the art Wave Park on Tompkins Park to leave their boards stored adjacent to the wave park, with easy access, and will reduce parking and vehicular movements in the area. Once delivered and stored, the boards can be accessed with a facility keycard and locked in place with the the owner's own lock.
Storage for 500 boards is envisaged as a minimum, and at a cost of $30 per month, should, if fully utilized, yield an annual return of $180,000, less maintenance costs.
Hardstand bicycle parking will be provided adjacent to the board storage unit, with rows of bike racks cemented into the hardstand and hired out at the rate of $10 per 3 hour block per bike. It is envisaged that 50 to 75 bikes will be accommodated at any one time, and the users will have the ability to lock their bikes, as well as the added security of an on site attendant. While the bike facility will not be a huge net earner, it will provide employment for players who otherwise do not have employment, to work as attendants.
Secondly, the club has secured the right from Council to control and charge for parking in the existing hardstand areas adjacent to the Wave Park. Ticketing Booths will be erected and manned at all entry points, and again this will provide further employment opportunities for players as well as an anticipated modest return on capital expenses.
Finally, and this on current indications will be the most profitable income stream (the club has been conducting low key experimentation on the concept with good results over the past several months), the club will expand and refine it's Crowd Funding activities.
In return for annual contributions of between $300 to $1000 Funders will be entitled, depending on the size of the contribution, to club membership, club apparel and merchandise, free parking, free board storage, invitations to special club events and functions, free Force membership, and tickets to Force home games.
For all sporting facilities, not just rugby clubs, we are living in interesting and difficult times, in which only the strong and proactive will likely survive.
Palmyra is giving itself its best chance.