AFTER a number of “tough” years peppering its recent history, the Loxton Club is now boasting a “substantial” profit in a testament to its staff, board and community.
While the figure is yet to be finalised and will be released to members at the club’s AGM in September, club manager Andre Angeleski said it was a “big turnaround”.
“This year will be a substantial profit, possibly a record,” he said.
“In 2019/20, we made a small profit, which was a great achievement coming off a massive loss.”
In 2018/19, the Loxton Club had an operating deficit of $187,000, preceded by $72,000 in 2017/18 and $78,000 in 2016/17.
“Two to three years ago, we were doing it pretty tough,” Mr Angeleski said.
“The construction next door (The Precinct Loxton) and losing all of the sport was a factor. “Another factor that was probably combined was the fact that maybe we weren’t quite giving our patrons exactly what they wanted.”
Mr Angeleski said the club’s board and staff worked hard to identify its strengths and weaknesses.
“We’ve listened to our patrons,” he said.
The club has altered the days its bistro is open, with aesthetic improvements also taking place.
The Loxton Club began in 1934 and has been at its current location since 1959.
Club board deputy chairperson Ruth Firstbrook said the impact of Covid presented board members with an opportunity to reassess.
“One of the good things about Covid is that yes, we weren’t trading, but we were still meeting,” she said.
“Because we weren’t trading, there wasn’t a demand on us (and) we had the time to have that reset, take a breath.
“We are really conscious that we are a community club.”
The Loxton Club has over 700 members and holds bingo and a quiz night each week.
“We are going really well, but we are not complacent,” Mr Angeleski said. “It is still scary to think where we were two or three years ago, so that is always at the back of our minds.
“Hopefully there will be some major works in a couple of years’ time, possibly to tie in more with The Precinct Loxton.”
Mr Angeleski thanked the Loxton community for continuing to support the club.