14 INTERCLUB • VOLUME 30, ISSUE 2 - 2024 REACHING CLUBS SINCE 1995 Club’s growth built on strong leadership Christchurch’s Papanui Club, in Bishopdale, is a strong, vibrant and engaging social club offering members an array of activities to become involved in. General Manager, Mark Belton, says the club, established in 1956, has grown from strength to strength under years of strong governance leadership. Mark’s passionate about the club, having worked previously as the Operations Manager. “I feel very privileged to be managing this wonderful club. No two days are the same and its exciting, sometimes challenging, but always satisfying work.” When Christchurch’s earthquakes occurred, the then Papanui Club building sustained some damage, enabling the club to process an insurance claim, which resulted in a new building near the original site being built. “We officially opened in 2016, following the rebuild and are now located toward the back of the old car-parking area. We were able to plan and future-proof our club out of that terrible experience and now we’re thriving,” Mark says. Today, club membership averages between 9,000 and 10,000 and looks set to continue to grow, placing Papanui Club in a strong position to continue to evolve, something Mark says, he’s really keen to see. “We already have a large array of subsections and I think we’re only just scratching the surface. We’re about engaging with our community and providing the space for the community to meet.” Without giving anything away Mark says he has a few larger plans for the club in the next year or two. Currently he’s working on establishing a strong business case to take to the Board to consider. Sue Russell “I have a great Board of Directors with real enthusiasm. Terry Stewart has been our President since 2018. We’ve just gone through an election and have some fresh energy on board. One thing that is a strength of this club is that the Directors understand their role and leave management free to get on and operate the day to day club life.” The club has decided to change its constitution, enabling bi-annual elections, rather than every year. Papanui Club’s Scorch Cafe offers patrons a seriously great coffee and baked goods along with cooked breakfast offerings from Thursday to Sunday, opening at 9 am. Breakfasts are available until midday on these days and the cafe is proving a popular destination for those living and working in the area.. “We offer a birthday shout of a free buffet meal for every member. “Given full membership costs only $30, this free birthday gift essentially covers that cost.” And to encourage families to come along and enjoy all the club has to offer, children can have access now to the pool and dart playing areas. This makes good sense Mark says, given these children are the future full members of the club. Outreach extends to offering the community use of the building and to providing schools who request donations, along with the local community patrol. “We also supply groups with vouchers for their fundraising activities.” Ignite Fitness, offers club members with an alternative fitness/exercise option. Membership is annual and costs $400 to join. In all Papanui Club employs 72 staff, so is a major business in the district. Some, Mark says, have been with the club more than 30 years, bringing a depth of experience for new staff to engage with. “We have a good reputation for looking after young people in employment.”Coming up this year Papanui Club’s Outdoor Bowls secction will be hosting the Clubs NZ South Island Women’s Outdoor Bowls tournament in October. YOUR KITCHEN SUPERHERO COMMERCIAL KITCHEN SERVICES 0800 804 104 | www.cookright.co.nz Saving you time and money! HOODS & FLUE CLEANING DEEP KITCHEN CLEAN FILTER CLEANING WASTE OIL REMOVAL FRYER CLEANING FRESH OIL SUPPLIES t Keep staff safe t Focus on food t Reduce OSH risk t Insurance compliance t Hygiene compliance t Professionally cleaned t Local and reliable t It’s simply taken care of VATMAN Kitchen Superhero Sawyers Arms FOR WOFS, SERVICING, TYRES & REPAIRS 03 359 8645 sawyersarmsauto.co.nz Electrical services & Heat Pump installations 022 618 5781 Casebrook, Christchurch vanselectricalservices@gmail.com www.landaapparel.co.nz Phone: 03 366 5850 Mobile: 027 335 3161 10 Moncur Place PO BOX 22257 Addington Christchurch 8024 “I encourage anyone who wishes to see and experience what the club has to offer, to come and visit us. “We’re open seven days a week and you’ll be made to feel very welcome.” Ignite Fitness, offers club members with an alternative fitness / exercise option. Membership is annual and costs $400 to join. CLUB LIFE: PAPANUI CLUB
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