OPPONENTS to the sale of the Vikings Sports Club at Dundas Valley now have the support of the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing.
Co-president of the Telopea Chamber of Commerce and club member Michael Maughan wrote to the OLGR in May, concerned about the proposed marketing of the sale of the club by Parramatta Leagues Club.
He said it was "folly" to close the core asset, given the planning approvals handed to the region and the expected development in coming years.
Mr Maughan received a response last month from the OLGR, which had sought legal advice regarding the issue.
The legal advice concluded that, while Parramatta Leagues Club's constitution "precludes members without three years membership from attending and voting at the AGM", the Registered Clubs Act 1976 did not allow clubs to determine who could vote on the issue of disposal of core property.
It concluded that the OLGR was of the view that since the club did not invite all ordinary members to attend and vote on the proposed sale of the property, the resolution to sell the property - determined by a close vote of 88-84, which was disputed twice - was invalid.
Businessman Tom Issa, who is running on a ticket with former Parramatta Eel Steve Sharp in the leagues club's board elections in April next year, said the response from the OLGR was "a big win".
He said the leagues club needed to work more on making the Vikings a family-friendly place to be, where staff were responsible for the club's success, rather than letting it gradually drop off.
Mr Maughan agreed, saying he wanted the Vikings club to be handed to the community to run, with the leagues club as a financial backer.
"We're hoping they have seen the folly of their ways and will embrace a new vision for Dundas Valley Vikings," he said.
Parramatta Leagues Club chief executive Bob Bentley did not respond to questions from the Advertiser.
