COROWA Golf Club has secured a commitment from Federation Council to assist in securing funding for a cooling system in danger of breaking down this summer despite opposition from one councillor.
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Cr Gail Law and Cr Fred Longmire moved and seconded the council help the golf club source funding, but Howlong-based Cr David Longley said the club should be left to its own devices given it operated poker machines and other sporting bodies didn't.
"We are intending to use ratepayers money to prop them up and there is no guarantee we will get our money back," Cr Longley said.
"Corowa Golf Club has got an advantage over most other clubs in that they have gaming machines.
"Football, netball, cricket, hockey clubs don't have that."
But, Cr Longmire said the club was facing an "emergency situation" and council should step in and support.
"The community would be responsive in the opportunity to do something to help the golf club in the short-term," he said.
"We are not going to give it as a gift."
Cr Law agreed the council should assist.
"I have to congratulate the golf club on what they've done in obtaining a grant to build their cinema," she said.
"It is running very well and I think we have to support all these things in this time of drought."
Deputy mayor Shaun Whitechurch said the club had identified a short-term problem and contacted council for help.
"The letter wasn't sent to council because they were in financial strife," he said.
"Their annual report declares they are cash positive and certainly far from trading insolvently.
"They've got the largest amateur tournament coming up in three weeks time with 300 golfers both days, but if the air-conditioning falls over tomorrow the club is really going to flounder and struggle."
Golf club general manager Daniel Peacock was contacted by The Border Mail for comment.
