Balmain Tigers Leagues Club

[Ron's_Mate]

Adrian Proszenko today

BALMAIN BAIL-OUT
As we revealed in April, a mystery white knight has emerged with a proposal to redevelop the old Balmain Leagues Club site in a move that could secure the future of the foundation club.
Rozelle Village director Ian Wright confirmed the move during the week but made it clear that any potential buyer would need to honour legal commitments made to the Balmain Leagues Club and any tenants to whom a legal obligation had been made.
"It has always been our preference, however, to work with the Balmain Leagues Club through their financial situation and return them to a new club at Rozelle," Wright said.
"We have submitted a confidential proposal to the club board, which we believe will allow them to continue to trade as a business.
"We are waiting for a response from the club."
The leagues club owes Rozelle Village about $8 million and allegedly defaulted on a series of loans, with the matter ending up in the Supreme Court. The auditors were about to be called in, but an injunction was granted in the hope the parties could come to an arrangement.


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...y-rabbitohs-20140621-zsh75.html#ixzz35JmLFLkE

 

[Ron's_Mate]

Balmain Leagues Club settles dispute with Rozelle Village

Leesha Mckenny
Published: August 23, 2014 - 2:45PM

The Balmain Leagues Club has settled its dispute with developer Rozelle Village, five months after its injunction to prevent any bid to place the club into receivership.

An intriguing detail of the agreement stipulates the club must hand over "copies of any correspondence, emails, text messages, invoices, reports or other written material" it has received from developer Benny Elias in the past 12 months.

Documents obtained by Fairfax Media reveal the Balmain Tigers rugby league legend appears to have been receiving monthly payments of more than $21,000 from the club, despite walking away from Rozelle Village in August last year and holding no formal role with the club since 2009.

The club's spokesman Danny Munk said the amount was an ongoing "administration fee" it was required to pay under a contractual arrangement with Rozelle Village.

"We've been instructed by Rozelle Village to make payments that we owe them to Ben Elias," he said.

Rozelle Village was a joint venture between Mr Elias and Ian Wright when it bought the financially embattled club's headquarters for $1 in 2009 in return for taking over its debts of $23.5 million.

A new clubhouse was part of Rozelle Village's controversial high-rise redevelopment bid, which was killed off by planning authorities in April.

Mr Wright, who has fallen out with his former business partner, said the administration fee was negotiated by Mr Elias and "Rozelle Village wanted nothing to do with it".

"[Rozelle Village] directed the club, if it felt it was obliged to make the payments, that they weren't to be made to Rozelle Village, they were to be made to Elias," he said.

Mr Elias declined to comment.

The club, which sought the Supreme Court injunction in March, withdrew its legal action when it reached an agreement with Rozelle Village on Friday.

In a joint statement with Rozelle Village, the club said they would both work with Leichhardt Council "to find a solution to their development concerns which have prevented the club from returning to its heartland at Rozelle".

"The only solution to facilitate a return of the Club to Rozelle is a planning solution, and it is vital that Leichhardt Council become part of that solution," Mr Munk said.

According to the new terms, the club's right to lease premises at the site may be terminated if development consent is not granted by a "sunset date" of November 29 next year.

But Mr Wright said the relationship with the club was "back on track" and both were committed to proceed with plans to develop the Victoria Road site.

"It has always been our preference to work with the Balmain Leagues Club through its financial situation and facilitate its return to a new Club at Rozelle," Mr Wright said.

Leichhardt's mayor Darcy Byrne welcomed the agreement, saying "it's not too late for the developer to compromise and propose a much smaller scale development".

"Rozelle Village's last three development proposals have been rejected by the State Government due to concerns they would have brought traffic on Victoria Rd to a standstill," Cr Byrne said.

"The Council, the developer and the State Government should now act responsibly to achieve a sensible redevelopment that won't turn Rozelle into Bondi Junction."

This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/balmain-l...ute-with-rozelle-village-20140822-107cnd.html

 

[magpie4ever]

Balmain Leagues Club settles dispute with Rozelle Village

Leesha Mckenny
Published: August 23, 2014 - 2:45PM

The Balmain Leagues Club has settled its dispute with developer Rozelle Village, five months after its injunction to prevent any bid to place the club into receivership.

An intriguing detail of the agreement stipulates the club must hand over "copies of any correspondence, emails, text messages, invoices, reports or other written material" it has received from developer Benny Elias in the past 12 months.

Documents obtained by Fairfax Media reveal the Balmain Tigers rugby league legend appears to have been receiving monthly payments of more than $21,000 from the club, despite walking away from Rozelle Village in August last year and holding no formal role with the club since 2009.

The club's spokesman Danny Munk said the amount was an ongoing "administration fee" it was required to pay under a contractual arrangement with Rozelle Village.

"We've been instructed by Rozelle Village to make payments that we owe them to Ben Elias," he said.

Rozelle Village was a joint venture between Mr Elias and Ian Wright when it bought the financially embattled club's headquarters for $1 in 2009 in return for taking over its debts of $23.5 million.

A new clubhouse was part of Rozelle Village's controversial high-rise redevelopment bid, which was killed off by planning authorities in April.

Mr Wright, who has fallen out with his former business partner, said the administration fee was negotiated by Mr Elias and "Rozelle Village wanted nothing to do with it".

"[Rozelle Village] directed the club, if it felt it was obliged to make the payments, that they weren't to be made to Rozelle Village, they were to be made to Elias," he said.

Mr Elias declined to comment.

The club, which sought the Supreme Court injunction in March, withdrew its legal action when it reached an agreement with Rozelle Village on Friday.

In a joint statement with Rozelle Village, the club said they would both work with Leichhardt Council "to find a solution to their development concerns which have prevented the club from returning to its heartland at Rozelle".

"The only solution to facilitate a return of the Club to Rozelle is a planning solution, and it is vital that Leichhardt Council become part of that solution," Mr Munk said.

According to the new terms, the club's right to lease premises at the site may be terminated if development consent is not granted by a "sunset date" of November 29 next year.

But Mr Wright said the relationship with the club was "back on track" and both were committed to proceed with plans to develop the Victoria Road site.

"It has always been our preference to work with the Balmain Leagues Club through its financial situation and facilitate its return to a new Club at Rozelle," Mr Wright said.

Leichhardt's mayor Darcy Byrne welcomed the agreement, saying "it's not too late for the developer to compromise and propose a much smaller scale development".

"Rozelle Village's last three development proposals have been rejected by the State Government due to concerns they would have brought traffic on Victoria Rd to a standstill," Cr Byrne said.

"The Council, the developer and the State Government should now act responsibly to achieve a sensible redevelopment that won't turn Rozelle into Bondi Junction."

This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/balmain-l...ute-with-rozelle-village-20140822-107cnd.html

I know this is a Balmain thing, but wtf.

Paying Elias $21,000/mth - surely this guy couldn't be considered a legend by old Balmain fans. Balmain is broke and this turd has been feeding on the carcass.

 

[Matchball]

An intriguing detail of the agreement stipulates the club must hand over "copies of any correspondence, emails, text messages, invoices, reports or other written material" it has received from developer Benny Elias in the past 12 months.

Very interesting indeed.
I'm guessing their falling out has a lot to do with this and he is probably being investigated.
Legal action ahead for Benny no doubt.

 

[benched tiger]

A modern day Judas,there has always been something about that little turd that suggest you can not trust him..!

 

[magpie4ever]

It sickens me to think that a great old foundation club that is doing it tough (running 2 small clubs at Fivedock and the markets, struggling to finance their HM and Ball sides) has one of their so-called legends taking approximately $250,000 out of the minimal revenue stream.

 

[Matchball]

I can't say I'm surprised.
He is a leech of the highest order and I wouldn't be surprised if he was sailing us up the river in hope of the Perth relocation because he has interest in that also.

Wipe him from the annals of Tiger history.

 

[The Charlatan]

Elias has been, and always will be, a merkin.

Great player for Balmain, but a merkin no less.

 

[Ron's_Mate]

Balmain Leagues Club site on the market worth more than $70m

Carolyn Cummins and Leesha McKenny
Published: November 5, 2014 - 2:50PM

The Balmain Leagues Club, former home of the Wests Tigers, will enter the next phase of its colourful life, after the owner has put the freehold property up for sale, worth more than $70 million.

It is expected any buyer would seek to redevelop the site into mixed use, with apartments and retail space underneath.

The sales agents, Michael Andrews and Scott Gray-Spencer of CBRE, said a heads of agreement was in place that would allow the West Tigers club to return to its spiritual home.

"With the Sydney apartment market experiencing an under supply of new dwellings, this property, by virtue of its location, creates a core opportunity to deliver on these demands," the agents said.

The vendor, Rozelle Village's sole director Ian Wright, said the company was now focused on other developments outside Australia.

"Also...we have a strong affiliation with the Tigers and feel that the time is right for a fresh approach to the land's development," Mr Wright said.

The site had "continuously" attracted interest from prospective buyers, he said, "so we're expecting a strong response to the expressions of interest".

Rozelle Village, originally half-owned by former Tigers' hooker Ben Elias, bought the financially embattled club's headquarters for $1 in 2009 in return for taking over its debts of $23.5 million.

The company's most recent high-rise plans, which included residential towers at 24 and 20 storeys plus a new home for the club, were knocked back by planning authorities in April.

Leichhardt mayor Rochelle Porteous said council, which was working on new planning controls for the site, would welcome working collaboratively with a new owner.

"It's important that any potential purchaser for the Rozelle site is made aware of the history of the site and is made aware of the fact that the current site-specific [Local Environment Plan] on the site does not work," Cr Porteous said.

A sale would not cut all ties between Rozelle Village and the club, which will still owe the company about $11 million.

Issues surrounding the debt came to a head in March this year when club sought an injunction to stop any bid to place it into receivership.

According the terms of settlement in that dispute, which were signed in August, the club's right to lease premises at the site may be terminated if development consent is not granted by a "sunset date" of November 29, next year.

The new deed also requires the club to support the site's owner in negotiations and lobbying of council, the state government and community in relation to any future development application, which may include a smaller club premises than that set out in the original agreement.

The club's spokesman, Danny Munk, said that the club was aware of discussions about the sale. "That's the only comment I can make," he said.

The expression of interest campaign closes in December.

This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/business/prop...rket-worth-more-than-70m-20141104-11glpq.html

 

[axl rose]

Elias has been, and always will be, a merkin.

Great player for Balmain, but a merkin no less.

Pity he is shady (very rare for people of Lebanese decent) because I have no doubt he was the greatest hooker to ever play the game. Revolutionised the role but will never get credit because, he's Benny.

 

[Ron's_Mate]

Balmain facing extinction if site rezoned by council

Adrian Proszenko
Published: March 9, 2015 - 9:16PM

Foundation club Balmain says it is destined to fold if Leichhardt Council goes ahead with a proposed decision to rezone the site of the clubhouse in Rozelle.

The Balmain Tigers have a history spanning 107 years but the entity, one half of the Wests Tigers joint venture, is likely to be in voluntary administration within weeks.

It was hoped the Victoria Road premises, owned by Rozelle Village, would be developed to provide a much-needed revenue stream for Balmain, but the officials claim Leichhardt mayor Rochelle Porteous' proposal to rezone the historic site has effectively killed off any hope of the project - and Balmain - continuing into the future.

Balmain Leagues Club won approval from Leichhardt Council to redevelop its Rozelle site in 2008 following four years of discussions. Balmain claims it spent $8 million acquiring properties adjacent to the site in 2005 and 2006 on the advice of Leichhardt Council, in order to secure the required zoning.

In 2009, the club sold the site for just $1 in return for Rozelle Village taking over its $23.5 million debt. The matter returned to council after the developer's controversial high-rise plans were knocked back by planning authorities last year.

However, Balmain officials said proposed changes to the site's floor space ratio, which govern the permitted density on the site, would mean it would not be commercially feasible for a future development to include a clubhouse.

"Without the leagues club, we're done. It's really tough times," said Balmain chairman Dr Leslie Glen.

"[Extinction] is the stark reality, that's what we're facing. We are in grave strife. We've dealt in good faith with Leichhardt Council, we have been in talks with them since about 2004-05. They encouraged us with the development and to buy the adjacent buildings and we really went into debt on that instruction.

"The goalposts have definitely shifted. The rezoning not only means the development won't go ahead but also that they won't be able to sell it on to anybody. It's an unviable situation."

Cr Porteous said she was puzzled by Balmain's assertion the Tigers were facing voluntary administration due to a council decision.

She said the Tigers sold the club land to Rozelle Village. "The only party which can now benefit from rezonings and floor space ratio (FSR) bonuses is Rozelle Village, not the club," she said in a statement.

Council was currently undertaking a review of the traffic modelling to address best practice and an appropriate framework for the future development of the site, it said.

The review is expected to be presented to a council meeting this month.

Balmain was already frozen out of the Wests Tigers because of its inability to meet financial obligations to Wests Tigers. The NRL covered the shortfall on the proviso the loan be paid back within two years or Balmain would lose its shares in the joint venture. Until such time as security is provided against the money lent, the Balmain directors, who have been replaced by independents appointed by the NRL, have no say in the boardroom.


This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...-site-rezoned-by-council-20150309-13zbk1.html

 

[The Charlatan]

merkins.

Balmains goose is cooked it would seem, terrible shame

 

[Old Time Tiger]

2 things for me:

"

Without the leagues club, we're done. It's really tough times," said Balmain chairman Dr Leslie Glen.

Why is that? They haven't a leagues club on the site now and they don't even own the site. Surely they need to just build on what they have by that I mean not build with bricks but grow they relationships with the clubs they utilise now and grow those relationships or perhaps based on its size, build a greater relationship with Ryde Eastwood Seagulls.

Cr Porteous said she was puzzled by Balmain's assertion the Tigers were facing voluntary administration due to a council decision.

Gee, have they, the Balmain 'club' got some bad management / advice? Surely what Cr Porteous is correct, what's it got to do with the council, they can't just let the dump sit idle there on Victoria Road.

I wish our white knight, Harry T would just snap it up, build apartments to the height that council want and have 2 or 3 floors of 'club' for residents and invited guests.
Football club just invite new members who in turn invite new members and build a 'club' that way without any fools from the old leagues club, friends of back door Benny etc, involved.

 

[gordsy]

Sounds like the deal was done in good faith and then the council screwed us.
Either that and / or the developer saw a way to grab cash and doesn't care if we go bust in the process.

 

[sensesmaybenumbed]

I loathe the type of person who buys next door to a club or pub that's been there for decades then complains until it gets shut down.

 

[Wizardman]

Pity he is shady (very rare for people of Lebanese decent) because I have no doubt he was the greatest hooker to ever play the game. Revolutionised the role but will never get credit because, he's Benny.

Without a shadow of a doubt, the best attacking hooker ever. I would not swap him for anybody.

 

[Ron's_Mate]

Rather than start a new thread I'm putting this news story here as it is obviously related to the financial problems Balmain have got themselves into. Makes me glad I went to plenty of games at Leichhardt when it was the Tigers only home ground.

Wests Tigers face uncertain future at Leichhardt Oval

Michael Carayannis
Published: March 26, 2015 - 10:00PM

The future of the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval beyond this season is again uncertain after Balmain forfeited their lease at the ground.

Leichhardt Council will take over the lease from April 1, with Balmain unable to afford the $250,000 needed to maintain the facility. While the Wests Tigers are yet to agree to the council's new lease, it is unlikely the four games set for the venue this season will be shifted away from the ground.

However, there is no certainty that the Tigers will remain at Leichhardt beyond this year. The Tigers are due to host Canberra at the venue on April 19.

Tigers chief executive Grant Mayer will meet with council to discuss the terms of the lease before agreeing to stage matches there this season.

"To be clear to everyone, we'll be at Leichhardt Oval in round seven for our first Sunday afternoon game," Mayer said. "It would be the wrong decision moving that game. Our fans and members come first and round seven will happen no matter what. There is a fair bit of work to do from the administrator's point of view and I know the council is committed to getting it done."

It costs the Tigers almost $70,000 to play a game at the venue. Mayer said the joint venture had no intention of taking over the lease.

"The rest of the games will go ahead this season," Mayer said. "But we need to absolutely understand where council is coming from. To make any dramatic changes so late is a massive impact on people. It's not that it can't be done, it's simply understanding what the council expect.

"Balmain have had the lease and we've leased through them. It's an administration change. We have been there for 15 years and that's not going to change in the future. The council need a commercial return.

"Our job is to play football games. Not to manage bricks, mortar and grass. We have a great release agreement with ANZ Stadium and Campbelltown Stadium. There is no guarantee from our point of view until we see a lease."

Leichhardt Council will take hold of the lease until October, costing them $300,000. Leichhardt mayor Rochelle Porteous wants Balmain to reclaim the lease before the start of next season.

"Council has a strong commitment to the Balmain Tigers and to ensuring that the Wests Tigers continue to play matches at Leichhardt Oval," Porteous said. "There are concerns that Balmain have not been able to meet their financial obligations but council stepped up to ensure the venue is at its optimum level."

Meanwhile, Brookvale Oval will be closed until April 7 as Warringah Council work to restore the ground.

The ground came under heavy fire from players and officials with sand covering large chunks of the surface during Canterbury's win against Manly on Friday night. Manly do not play a game there until May 10.

"This will allow the playing surface to undergo maintenance and chemical treatment to restore root growth," a statement by the council said.

"The match last Friday evening was the second game played on the night and followed five games being played at the venue the previous weekend. The closure of the field will assist recovery and sustainability of the playing surface."

A host of NSW Cup and junior representative games will be moved.


This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...uture-at-leichhardt-oval-20150326-1m8ogq.html

 

[Magpies Forever]

Sounds like WT are not walking away from Leichhardt Oval despite changing status of lessor but keeping an eye on anything untoward happening over the conditions of using the oval. Reasonable position.

 

[macnaz]

Sounds like WT are not walking away from Leichhardt Oval despite changing status of lessor but keeping an eye on anything untoward happening over the conditions of using the oval. Reasonable position.

Agreed.

 

[macnaz]

I might just ask tho , who foots the bill for state cup games ? I cant see why they couldnt play WT state cup games on the same day as NRL an eliminate at least 4 extra payments.