Hakoah’s Bondi premises to close
HAKOAH Club Bondi will close the doors of its Hall Street premises when its lease runs out in November -- marking the end of an era for the club, which has occupied the site for the last 35 years.
CHANTAL ABITBOL
HAKOAH Club Bondi confirmed this week that it will close the doors of its Hall Street premises when its lease runs out in November — marking the end of an era for the club, which has occupied the site for the last 35 years.
But despite a failed search to find a new home in time, Hakoah president Phil Filler stressed the closure doesn’t signal the end of the club.
“People misinterpret that Hakoah’s closing down. It’s a misleading comment,” he told The AJN. “The Hall Street premises’ doors are closing. We told our members all along that there’s a date — November 4. We’ve never deviated from that.”
The search continues to find a new venue elsewhere in the eastern suburbs, he added. “Hakoah will live on,” Filler said. “As we’ve always said, we continue to look and strive to find alternate premises.”
In July, Hakoah failed to secure a deal to purchase White City Tennis Club in Paddington after the NSW Appeal Court ruled against tennis great John Alexander, who argued he owned the historic club.
The AJN understands that had the court ruled in favour of Alexander, he in turn would have sold the property to Hakoah for more than $12 million.
The failed bid comes at a time when Hakoah is reportedly losing money every week and eating into the $18 million windfall it received after selling the property to the Toga Group in July 2007.
Regardless, Filler said the club’s board is committed to securing a better future for the club. A number of other venue options are currently being considered, he said, but declined to elaborate.
“At the moment, we’re not in a position to advise either our members, or the Jewish community in general,” said Filler.
With Hakoah’s future uncertain, however, a group of loyal members aren’t ready to bid farewell to the Hall Street premises without some fanfare. A group is organising a dance party billed as the “Final Big Bash” at Hakoah on Saturday, September 12. Entertainment will include stage performers Super Supremes and a mystery guest disc jockey.
“We’re trying to get as many people to come, remember the old days and appreciate what the club was about,” said organiser and long-term Deb Spicer, 52. “It’s a shame we’re going to lose the [Hall Street] club. They’re still talking about finding another venue, but it’s very hard to find something in the eastern suburbs at the moment.”
Others remained hopeful. “We’d love them to find another venue. It would serve the community well,” said Maccabi Rugby club president David Greenstein, who recently celebrated the Blues’ Meldrum Cup win at the club with the team.
“The Jewish family needs something of that nature, not just for the older generation but for the youngsters as well. It’s a sort of cultural and social hub for the community.”
For more information on the “Final Big Bash”, contact Debbie Morgenstern at 0417 407 038 or Deb Spicer at 0414 575 791.
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