Hakoah on its mark, get set

March 2, 2022 by J-Wire
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The AGM for Hakoah which is about to embark on building a super centre for Sydney’s Jewish community has learned that days of planning are almost behind Hakoah and the days of construction are on their way.

Steven and Frank Lowy

President Steven Lowy said the coming months will see the beginning of construction following approval of the plans and the level of funding meeting expectations.

Watching the virtual AGM was one of the men who laid the foundations for the previous club in Bondi, Steven Lowy’s father Frank at his home in Israel. The club itself was founded by Jewish immigrant soccer enthusiasts in 1939 who played originally in Rushcutters Bay directly across from where the new club is to be built.

The new club will boast a full-size soccer pitch and sports centres including a wellness and gym facility.

The AGM learned that at this early stage there are over 2,950 memberships. This figure does not include children under 18 whose family has joined.

Steven Lowy made mention of the government grants that State and Federal Governments made to Hakoah totalling $15 million.

The financial future for Hakoah looks bright with the board forecasting a surplus between $2.5 and $3.5 million. In fact, rather than being a drain on the community, Hakoah’s aspiration is to contribute to other organisations.

Regarding the revenue, Steven Lowy told J-Wire: ” About half will come from the wellness and gym facilities, with the balance to come from the use of the football pitch, swimming pools, multi-use courts, plus commercial leases and venue hire, plus food and beverage, and membership fees.”

During his president’s address, Steven Lowy said: “We anticipate Hakoah at White City will become an important venue for inclusive programs sponsored by the JCA Choice Foundation, and delivered by organisations such as Friendship Circle, Jewish Care, Maccabi, and others.

The Project has been positively supported and endorsed by the leadership at our schools and synagogues, JCA, UIA, WIZO, JNF, and other major communal organisations. We thank them for their support and look forward to becoming a major host venue for their activities.”

Talking about the 2950 memberships already purchased, Lowy added: “This well surpassed our initial goal of 2000 pre-opening memberships. This is particularly impressive given that all of this was achieved in a Covid environment using technology and social media.

We will continue to seek wider support from our community through the take up of memberships and anticipate renewed enthusiasm once construction commences.”

Two separate entities have been established one to run the club and the other to own the land itself.

In the meantime, the Sydney Jewish community can look forward to a state of the art facility which will also host other organisations including Shalom and Maccabi NSW.

The projected cost is $67 million.

And in Israel, Mr Hakoah Frank Lowy switched on his zoom mike and told those listening: “I am pleased to learn of the expertise and the attention to details. I am proud of how the project is progressing and it is in very good hands and it is fantastic that community support has been given.”

He added: “The confidence that community has shown to you Steven at your team is unprecedented. I  am  very confident that the new Hakoah Club is in good hands. I look forward to be there when it opened.

 

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