the article from the herald
Shopping centre plan for Balmain Tigers club
Balmain Leagues Club has commissioned a master plan for the redevelopment of its 6000 square metre site on Victoria Road, Rozelle, which could include a community plaza and retail precinct.
The 47-year-old club wants to create premises that will satisfy its members, create a meeting place for the community and meet financial commitments.
Club president David Trodden said the State Government's poker machine tax would cost the club an extra $2.2 million a year when fully implemented in 2008 and claimed that if cash were not raised, the club would go out of business.
The club has appointed project developers Winston Langley to draw up the master plan.
Winston Langley executive director David Hynes, who is project director for the master plan, said he would meet Leichhardt Council officers in mid December. The wider community would then be invited to comment on the proposals.
"Through the community consultation process we are seeking from the council, the community and key stakeholders an acknowledgement of the current situation confronting Tigers and a realisation that should Tigers not be in a position to achieve a feasible development outcome, then the club will be left with little alternative but to sell the Rozelle premises," Mr Hynes said.
"The challenge for the Tigers is to provide a retail area that both complements and improves the existing Rozelle district."
The plans may also include a low-rise residential complex.
