Management change in store to rescue Featherston RSA

Featherston RSA may see some changes but will not be closing, after members voted to contract out the running of the Featherston Services and Citizens Club.

Members met at the Fox St club yesterday to discuss the future of the clubrooms, after it was revealed in August that the club was in financial difficulty.

An initial proposal to incorporate the club with the South Wairarapa Workingmens' Club did not eventuate, so yesterday members accepted another proposal to lease out the premises, said Featherston RSA president Garry Thomas.

"It'll still incorporate the RSA but the management and running will be taken over ... It'll happen pretty quick. If this happens it'll be by the beginning of next month."

Messines Restaurant manager Mike Topp, who expressed his concerns about the running of the club to Wairarapa Times-Age in September, confirmed he had submitted the proposal.

Messines Restaurant adjoins the clubrooms, and the premises is owned by the club.

"At the meeting today they approved it, December 1 is the settlement," he said. "It's a great opportunity for the club. We're quite rapt about it."

Mr Topp said he did not want to say too much before the deal was confirmed, but it would likely see the restaurant spreading to incorporate the bar, leaving the function room as RSA clubrooms.