Springwood Sports Club finally has a new owner.
It will merge with Mingara Recreation Club, after club members voted to accept the amalgamation proposal.
Springwood members unanimously accepted the proposal on July 1, and the motion was carried by Mingara’s members on July 24.
The Central Coast club will inject $2 million into the Springwood venue which has been in voluntary administration since March 2015.
Administer Greg Russell from Russell Corporate Advisory expected the amalgamation to be completed by the end of September.
He said the application would be filed with NSW Liquor and Gaming, who would be asked to approve it.
Springwood Sports Club would keep its two bowling greens under the plan and current staff would be offered ongoing employment, provided they “met Mingara’s standards”.
The merger was welcomed by regular Friday morning bowlers Uncle Graeme Cooper, Uncle Gus Wenberg, Dave Rendell and Michael Field.
“It’s a great thing,” Uncle Graeme said.
“It [the club] will evolve and transform as per their direction,” Mr Field said.
Mr Russell said it was a great outcome for the community.
“I’m very happy with the result,” he said.
“It’s part of the community that needs to be there. Without members continuing to support the club it wouldn’t be there.”
The club’s creditors are owed $10 million and although they won’t see the full sum, Mr Russell said the return was “better than expected.”
The club, which served as the region's evacuation centre during the October 2013 bushfires, was placed into voluntary administration as a result of 18 months of falling trade and spiralling legal costs.
The club had a two-year court battle with the builder of its clubhouse, Reed Constructions Australia Pty Ltd.
Mingara Recreation Club, located in Tumbi Umbi, has a track record of successful amalgamations. It amalgamated with West Port Macquarie Bowling Club in 2006, Roselands Bowling Club in 2007, and The Gordon Rugby Club at Chatswood in 2012.