Moama Bowling Club regrets to advise that the club is TEMPORARILY CLOSED following a fire early on Thursday, June 26.
The Board of Directors and CEO. Mr Paul Barnes would like to give the facts as they are known to this stage.
Time of fire. The alert was given at 4.30am by our security firm and fire brigades from both Echuca and Moama attended. The fire was under control by 6.30 am approx. but the firemen have continued to monitor the situation.
No persons were injured.
Extent of damage. Approximately one third of the club was badly damaged, including the Bistro and Bistro Terrace, the Cafe, Bottle Shop and Reception.
The Club is insured. Only after an insurance assessment will the Club know the cost of the damage. That assessment has begun. Some of these areas were newly renovated, as members and the public will know. We are relieved that areas including the kitchen, Pavilion Bar, Jubilee Room, President's Lounge and the Gaming Lounge largely escaped fire damage. However, smoke and heat may still have caused damage in some areas.
Investigations. A fire investigation team and a police forensics team is carrying out a full investigation as to the cause and circumstances of the fire. We need to wait on their findings.
Management Team in place. The team led by CEO Paul Barnes and senior managers and their advisers met immediately to plan further action with regard to staff, suppliers, media and the community.
Staff. Moama Bowling Club's directors and management's first concern is the welfare of its 160 full-time, part-time and casual staff, as we are a major employer. All staff arriving for work on the day were advised and the remainder are being systematically contacted to let them know the situation. The Club is examining all ways to ensure staff are looked after. Employees are being given a phone number of a senior staff member to ring about any individual concerns.
All will be advised as more information comes to hand. Futher information will be printed in the Riverine Herald and broadcast on local radio stations.
Community. All those with bookings for functions and events in July and August with the Club were advised immediately. Our Club has 14,000 members locally and throughout Australia, and contributes approximately $400,000 on average per year to the community in donations, sponsorship and in-kind support. We are very conscious of our role and will be striving to be back in operation as soon as possible.
Bowls. The greens have not been affected and we expect social bowls to continue. The new season begins in a few weeks and we expect it to go ahead as normal.
Further information. Moama Bowling Club will keep its staff, suppliers, media and the public fully informed as more information comes to hand.
Moama Bowling Club thanks you all for your support and looks forward to a speedy return to operations.
A Special Thank You.
Moama Bowling Club expresses sincere appreciation for their prompt and professional assistance to Echuca and Moama fire crews and NSW police and investigators, the management team and professional advisers. We thank our staff and the many members of the public who have expressed support.
MEMBER REWARD POINTS PROGRAM
To all members involved in our loyalty program, ther ewill be no expiration of your bonus points for the year ending June 30 2008. ALL unused reward points will carried over to next financial year.
