Club Metro's building, 13 Ridgway Street, Whanganui, faces resolution.
Club Metro's building, 13 Ridgway Street, Whanganui, faces resolution.
Club Metro (Wanganui Cosmopolitan Club) is calling an extraordinary meeting on August 4, to discuss the future of the club and to seek approval from members to “explore the potential sale of the club property with a long-term leaseback option.”
Wanganui Cosmopolitan Club president Mike Neho, told Midweek he is upbeat about new technologies that could bring efficiencies to the stock systems at the club. It belongs to Clubs NZ, which has recognised the trading difficulties in New Zealand and Australia, facing stringent Government legislation compliance.
They are promoting ClubPOS and a Clubs NZ app with facial recognition possibilities, with 316 member clubs in New Zealand. There are five Chartered Clubs in Whanganui.
November 2011, Cup frenzy - Melbourne Cup revellers cheer as they urge on their fancies at the Wanganui Cosmopolitan Club.
The Hon. John Balance, Wanganui’s most noted parliamentarian and the great Liberal Premier proposed and founded The Wanganui Cosmopolitan Club Inc. in March 1893.
He wanted a fraternity “where men of all conditions of life might meet for mutual help and education” an early club minute says. “One matter which he wished distinctly to be banned was politics”.
A dinner at the Cosmopolitan Club, Drews Avenue, in 1909. Photo courtesy "Memories Of Old Wanganui" - Volume 4.
First home of the club
The club’s first home opened in March 1893 in Campbell Place (now Rutland St) Wanganui. The club leased this building from Sarah Hogg. In 1900 the club built its own purpose-built building, which still stands today.
This was erected on the corner of Drews Avenue and Rutland Street. Shortly afterwards an addition was added due to the growth and popularity of membership. In later years, the original leased building was demolished alongside the club on Rutland Street, and the club established an Outdoor Bowling Green, where the old club’s carpark existed, and still remains today as a carpark.
The second Wanganui Cosmopolitan Club building from 1900 - 1979, now Victoria Dental.
In 1971 a New Building Committee was formed to explore the viability of building new premises or upgrading the old premises. The old premises were creating an ongoing maintenance issue, and the cost of it was causing financial concerns, and the possibility of having to upgrade and renovate the building to meet modern-day standards, such as fire and earthquake regulations proved prohibitive.
After several assessments and costings, this verified new premises were more economical. It was then decided by members to build new premises on Ridgway Street, where the club is located today.
This includes a 120-seat restaurant, lounge bar, entertainment and dance facilities, gaming and sporting areas, together with a conference/function room and administration areas. At this time restaurants were in their infancy in Chartered Clubs, with times changing.
On September 22, 1979, the new building was completed and officially opened by the then-governor general, Sir Keith Holyoke on behalf of Her Majesty, The Queen, to continue with the tradition of the Permanent Club Charter, commonly known as a Queen’s Charter.
Nancye Thomson, first woman president of the Wanganui Cosmopolitan Club, December 2015.
Permanent Club Charter (Queens Charter)
The club is privileged and proud to hold such a prestigious charter, which was granted by the Colonial Secretary on March 10, 1894, on behalf of Queen Victoria. Holding such a unique Charter means the Club is exempt from having to hold a liquor licence in accordance with the Supply and Sale of Alcohol Act 2012, Section 414. for members to consume liquor on the premises and take liquor away (off sale).
A reproduction of the charter is displayed in the front foyer of the Club, and it is encouraged that this document is read, as there is some remarkable wording in this historical document. The original document is in secure safekeeping.
Acquisition of land
Owing to the foresight and diligence of a previous club executive committee, and approved by members several years ago, the purchase of the property on Ridgway St proved to be an astute move, as when the club came to rebuild new premises, the acquired land was freehold, which eased the finances for the club to build new modern-day facilities.
Had this land not been acquired in earlier years, there would have been some doubt as to whether the club could have ever financed the new premises enjoyed today. It is a valuable area of real estate, due to its central city location.
Membership Numbers
The club vacated the old premises with a declining membership of about 650 members. This number rose very quickly to some 2300 members in the new building on Ridgway St, and after 12 months it was necessary after closing the membership for a period of time to add two extensions to both the restaurant and the main lounge bar area to accommodate the growing membership. The cost of the two extensions was $120,000. The new building initially cost $450,000.
Amalgamation
The Wanganui Cosmopolitan Club Inc. and the Wanganui RSA amalgamated in late 2018, which has proven to be a prudent and beneficial move, with the newly amalgamated club now trading as “Club Metro”. It now has a combined mixed membership of over 800.
The club is now administered by a management board, and a social and events committee, and is a very important organisation in the community, providing many benefits to its present and future members who may wish to join.
