IMPORTANT NOTICE TO MEMBERS

26th May 2020

Dear Members,

SPORTIES HEALTH AND FITNESS REMAINS CLOSED

It is with a great deal of regret and sadness that our Board have determined that Sporties Health and Fitness will remain closed indefinitely.

While there is no doubt COVID19 has brought forward this difficult decision, ongoing changes and increasing costs have meant the service was always going to be very challenging to provide into the future.

Each year we subsidise the facilities operations to the tune of around $150,000. With continual increasing operating costs and the building nearing 30 years of age with several major renovations required, it has become unsustainable for Sporties as a community not for profit to continue to fund.

Prior to this decision, we have been investigating ways to continue to keep the facility open, so far none of these have progressed, however, we will continue to explore these opportunities or partnerships in the coming months.

We are very proud to have firstly been able to build and then provide a facility like Sporties Health and Fitness for our local community. It is very unique and there are not many places with a population the size of our community that have had access to indoor heated swimming facilities, the first-class gymnasium, court and group fitness areas. Since opening, the dedicated team have taught thousands of local children to swim and have been a part of life changing programs for so many people.

We would like to acknowledge the excellent efforts of the entire team headed up by Jo and Sandy. This decision in no way reflects on their performance, in fact quite the opposite. Their efforts and first-class service have allowed us to keep going as long as we have. We know that they have operated Sporties Health and Fitness at around half the cost that comparable sized facilities run at.

Our Admin team will be in touch in coming weeks with those members who have term memberships regarding refunds from the date of closure.

Finally, on behalf of the Board, I would like to thank you for your valued membership and support. Many of our health and fitness members have been with us for most of the last 29 years, which only served to make this decision so much harder.

Kind Regards

Bobby Brooks CEO

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO MEMBERS

22nd May 2020

Greetings!! It has been great to see so many golfers enjoying the course and warm Autumn weather. Our outdoor team has not had a break and it shows on the course!

COVID19 has been an absolute shock to the world and nothing will perhaps ever be as it was. It has created an enormous amount of stress, anxiety and uncertainty for individuals, businesses and countries. We have all been forced to change and adapt very quickly to our new environments.

This is also true for Sporties Group. Management has used the last 7 weeks to focus 100% on a review of our entire operations to make sure that when we return to work, every part of our business will be operating as effectively and efficiently as we possibly can. All operations will return as lean as possible to ensure the sustainability of our long-term future. As a result, several important decisions have been approved by the Board, many of which have a direct impact on Golf and the CBGC Venue.

CBGC

Bistro

The Board has resolved that Food and Beverage will not resume at this venue, notwithstanding any lifting of Government restrictions. Patrons will be allowed to return to hospitality venues on a very restricted capacity with a whole range of distancing, hygiene and service requirements. On this basis, it is certainly not sustainable to entertain two venues. We will be concentrating only on reopening the Sporties for Food and Beverage Service. The CBGC Bistro will remain closed indefinitely for Food, Beverage, Gaming and TAB.

ProShop

With the indefinite closure of hospitality at CBGC, it has
also been resolved to relocate the ProShop to the Sporties Venue to engage fully with golfers.

• The Pro Shop will be located in the Outdoor Terrace area which faces West looking at the current 3rd Green.
• The TAB Lounge adjacent to the Terrace is designated as a Golfers Lounge.
• Directly outside these areas will be a 30 x 5 metre timber deck. These areas will be refurbished, and deck built over coming weeks.
• The current TAB will be relocated at a date still to be determined and this area subsequently reclaimed as additional Golfers Lounge
• Cart Parking will be available on course near the new ProShop before and after playing
• Golf Buggies can make their way from the Sporties Carpark through Nineteen 81 and directly to the ProShop
• We will make provision for Club and Buggy Storage, close to the carpark

Course Changes

• The Old Course will be renumbered so that the old nine effectively starts and finishes at Sporties.
• The current 4th Tee becoming the 1st and the 3rd becoming the 18th.
• The new 18th will receive a new Green which will be located on the rise adjacent to Nineteen 81. This will be built over the Winter and a temporary solution will be arranged
• The West Course remains unchanged
• New cart path will be built within the new ProShop precinct and a review of other paths is ongoing
• A Change Room will be provided within the ProShop
• Practice Nets will be erected, the exact location is still to be determined

Click here to view course changes

Carts

• All Hire Carts will be relocated to the area next to the Sporties immediately adjacent to the new ProShop
• Members Cart Shed – It is proposed to build new individual sheds north of Sporties Carpark near the Recreation Reserve Cricket Nets. Quotes and timeframes are still being negotiated. More information to follow and Expressions of Interest can be lodged with the Proshop
• The Course staff and equipment will be relocated into the vacated Cart Storage Shed (post 30 June)
• The existing Course Shed will be demolished

Other

• Nineteen 81 will be open daily and extended hours in the warmer months
• Honour Boards & Trophies – The Club Committee can utilise the Golfers Lounge area to have these on display
• The Golfers Lounge, existing TAB and of course, Gaming Lounge will remain Restricted Areas but we have made application to designate the remainder of the club unrestricted for children

Accommodation and Functions

• Accommodation will reopen on 1st June. Breakfast will be room service only (prepared from function kitchen) initially subject to restrictions being eased
• Functions will still be conducted as normal in the Fairway 1 & 2 and Ante Room, subject to the capacity restrictions
• Reception will be staffed for accommodation and functions

SPORTIES

Kids Room

The outdoor play centre has been dismantled and removed. It was non-compliant. The Kids Room will be relocated to the other side of the Bistro and reside in the area that was the old Bullanginya Bar. The outdoor playground will not be replaced.

The existing Kids Room and Family Dining area will become additional dining area.

Kitchens

The Café and Hot Breakfast will be available from 7am.

Dinner Menu’s will be revised and expanded to reflect the current CBGC offering.

All our cakes will remain prepared onsite.

Outdoor Poker Machine Area

Will be receiving a renovation to enclose the space with a suspended ceiling and new heating and cooling

New Carpet

All of the old carpet in the Sporties will be replaced before the end of June

Summary

There is obviously a sense of disappointment not reopening all our venues and services. For 11 years, it has been an ongoing challenge to get enough patronage to sustain two large hospitality venues and on the back of this crisis, the risk is simply too great. Failure to take significant steps now could put the entire organisation and our role in the community at stake.

Change is always difficult and confronting. That said, we are also excited about the new offering and quietly confident that we can produce something that will appeal to all.

Your ongoing support is more critical than ever and moreover; we ask that you embrace and encourage others to ensure that this is not all in vain. Board and Management are relentlessly focussed on the long-term sustainability of the Sporties Group, including the CBGC Brand.

Our expectation is that these changes will be implemented during July and you should take advantage of Michael’s massive relocation sale which will commence shortly.

We look forward to welcoming you all back to the course and venue, when we get the green light to reopen.

Stay Safe and Kind Regards
Bobby Brooks

STAY SAFE

24/03/2020

After being open for business 364 days of the year for nearly 39 years, it is surreal and eerie to walk through the dark and empty space of our venues. Feelings are a mixture of confusion, anxiety and disbelief that our home away from home is not open as usual.

We would like to send a big warm thankyou to all our members and guests who have supported us over many years. We also send heart felt gratitude and best wishes to our 150 staff who are the most impacted by this shutdown.

We do not know when our next chapter will begin but hopefully the stricter guidelines that have been imposed will be enough to get on top of this pandemic and our reopening will be something to really celebrate.

Stay safe and keep a close eye on the vulnerable in our community. We will get through this!

Keep an eye on our Facebook Pages and the Notice Page of the Sporties website for further updates.

MAJOR NEW ATTRACTION TO PROVIDE A BOOM FOR THE MURRAY REGION

A new $1.6m golf themed attraction proposed by the Cobram Barooga Golf Club will bring the latest in theme park styled technology and games providing a great new activity for locals as well as a genuine tourism attraction that will generate around $3m in economic activity annually and up to 17 jobs for the region.

Barooga Sporties CEO Bobby Brooks said “we are thrilled to announce this new development for the group and excited about what this will mean for our whole region. Not only will it keep Cobram Barooga amongst the best golf courses and facilities in Australia, but it will provide a genuine tourist attraction to bring more people to the region and keep them here longer. While based around golf, one of the regions tourism strengths, it will target non-golfers and key regional tourism markets such as those on holidays and visiting friends and relatives.

The recent explosion of entertainment range facilities internationally proves that the market for entertainment golf not only exists but is rapidly growing. In North America range-based entertainment is the fastest growing golf-based activity increasing from around 12 million participants in 2016 to over 20 million participants last year and 11% annual growth.

“Players of any skill level and even non-golfers see these facilities as the perfect place to experience relaxed competition while enjoying food, drink, and multiple gaming options. It’s like ten pin bowling for golf” said Mr Brooks.

The golf sector is a critical part of the overall Murray visitor economy and is a significant contributor to both overall visitation and employment across the region. By creating a ‘hero’ experience the Range will increase visitation, attract new audiences, increase length of stay and yield and generate further employment.

Destination Riverina Murray General Manager Richie Robinson said that “Destination Riverina Murray are strongly supportive of the project as it aligns with the objectives of the regions Destination Management Plan which identifies the need for further investment in supporting golf infrastructure. Technology based driving ranges are proven to appeal to a diverse range of people and therefore potential new visitors”

“The Cobram Barooga Golf Club has 669 current members and over 45,000 golf rounds a year and really is one of the strongest regional sporting clubs from a participation perspective. Currently though, less than 30 of our members are under 25 and over 75% are over 55 and while we are thrilled that this provides a really important health promotion activity for those over 55, we really see a great opportunity to provide something relevant and exciting for our regions young people and are confident this will address that” said Mr Brooks.

Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt commended the Cobram Barooga Golf Club in recognising that to ensure long-term sustainability, the provision of golf services must evolve and grow. “For a long time, golf has been widely recognised as a regional tourism strength in the Murray Region, the ability to stay and play several highly maintained championship courses is a key driver of this and to remain competitive as a region it is important that the key courses maintain their facilities at an appropriate and competitive standard” said Mr Pitt.

The project is reliant on gaining funding assistance and the community not-for-profit Sporties Group is working with Local, State and Federal Government to gain support. “The Sporties Group invests over $1m a year into providing and supporting key community infrastructure and programs servicing the Berrigan and Moira Shire Council’s and every year sponsoring and funding more than 65 local clubs and community initiatives, like the Cobram Community Cinema and the Bluearth program in primary schools. Traditionally we haven’t been very good at asking for help, but we need to if we are going to be able to continue to provide these levels of support to our community” said Mr Brooks.

The Sporties Group is seeking $1.1 million from other sources alongside providing $500,000 to get the project up and running.

Cobram Barooga Business and Tourism Chair Don Rudd highlighted the importance of the Sporties group and golf to the Cobram and Barooga communities. “Without a doubt the Sporties Group is the biggest supporter of community groups, sports clubs and community infrastructure outside of the Berrigan and Moira Shire Council’s in this region and golf is a major economic driver for the area. It is imperative to the Cobram Barooga community to have a strong and vibrant Cobram Barooga Golf Club”.

“We not only fully support this project but also strongly endorse the request for external funding into the region to ensure the Golf Club remains strong and the Sporties Group can continue to provide support and facilities so critical to the economic and social fabric of Cobram Barooga” said Mr Rudd.

“We are confident that with committed funding support we could have this project complete and open within 12 months” Said Mr Brooks.

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