Struggling club asks for cash

UNDER THREAT: Masterton Cosmopolitan Club faces the risk of closure. PHOTO/ANDREW BONALLACK

Club members volunteering money under a debentures scheme may be only a short-term fix for the struggling Masterton Cosmopolitan Club, which is still shopping for a merger.

A special meeting seeking to rescue the club from its financial blues was held on Sunday, floating two major initiatives.

About 180 members agreed to explore amalgamation with Wairarapa Services and Citizens Club, and to launch a debenture scheme.

Cosmopolitan Club treasurer Alan Stewart said the outcome of the "very positive meeting" had been left in the hands of the club executives.

He said Wairarapa Services and Citizens Club had held off on its planned meeting and was waiting to see what the Cosmopolitan Club proposed.

"It's up to the executives to go back to the services club to see what would be suitable for them." Mr Stewart said Masterton "only really had room for one successful club" and amalgamation would see both clubs benefit.

The Cosmopolitan Club would be issuing debentures to allow members to put money into the club to help finance it "for the meantime".

"After the meeting people came forward expressing interest." He said the club hoped to raise enough money to be fully independent without outside finance.

Ideas put forward to help the club's recovery were finding new ways to attract more members and encouraging younger people to join up.

He said there were "strong comments" from club members regarding the facility and how it was "needed for the town".

The club's building on Queen St "can cope with 300 people" and holds events such as large funerals, parties and meetings.

Mr Stewart said the Town Hall was the only other venue in Masterton that could accommodate that many people.

The special meeting was prompted because the club is struggling financially and is under threat of closure.