The amalgamation of the Tamworth Tennis Club with Wests Entertainment Group (WEG) is almost complete after council gave the go-ahead for the lease transfer.
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The approval was given at an extraordinary meeting of Tamworth Regional Council on Friday night after councillors resolved to enter into a lease with the WEG.
Crown Lands is the approvals body of Treloar Park, with council the lessor, or operator of the grounds.
Council’s planning director Peter Thompson told The Leader WEG needed a long-term lease in order to transfer the liquor licence for the club.
“The West Tamworth Leagues Club is actually seeking a 20-year lease,” he said.
“[Council] has entered into a five-year lease, it is anticipated in the new year we [Wests, council and the Crown], will extend it into 20 years.”
The transfer of the liquor licence is expected on Monday, with the matter listed before the licensing court.
“The court needs to be satisfied they have tenure for a period of time,” Mr Thompson said.
“They need to hand up a copy of the lease to the court.”
Under the terms of the lease, council will also offer a rent rebate if WEG can provide proof of significant spending to upgrade the tennis club.
“We're aware West Tamworth Leagues are planning to spend a significant amount upgrading the building and the courts,” Mr Thompson said.
“If the value of those improvements is more than $12,000, then we will reimburse them up to $12,000 each year.”
The rent increase by Crown Lands – from $3,000 to $15,000 a year – was a sticking point in the amalgamation of the two clubs, but council said a rebate was a win-win if WEG upgraded the ageing facilities.
“Our goal is to ensure that through whatever mechanism we can use, the community gets the best facilities across the region,” Mr Thompson said
WEG upgraded two courts at the tennis club earlier this year at a cost believed to be about $50,000.
The Tamworth Tennis Club took to Facebook last week to confirm after negotiations, its “future is in safe hands”.
“It's been a long haul but thank you to all who have stuck with the club and the Northwest Tennis Academy,” the club posted online.
“In the words of Leyton, #comeon.”