Crow in battle to save RSA

Disappointment at members' backlash

Steve Crow says he is battling to save New Plymouth's RSA and he doesn't care whose toes he has to tread on.

The Auckland businessman and his brother David, of Inglewood, bought the Strandon clubrooms for $1.9 million in July 2008, as part of a rescue package for the organisation, which was in danger of going broke.

RSA members voted to sell the property to the brothers, who intend to put a $20 million development on the site, on the promise it got cash to clear debts and improved facilities.

David took over the management of the organisation in August when the pair discovered it was haemorrhaging money.

"We realised that they weren't going to make it, they were going to go under, unless we did something drastic and took over the reins," Steve Crow said.

In 2007 the club lost $200,000 so far this year it has made a $40,000 profit.

The brothers are the sons of the club's former president and life member, Peter Crow, who died of cancer in July 2008.

Since taking control the brothers have standardised glassware. Some wine glasses held 100ml more than the standard 150ml measure and there were a range of different-sized pints.

They have also adjusted prices and banned members from bringing in their own food.

"They wondered why this club was losing money," Mr Crow said.

A four-month analysis showed one group, of up to 180 people, which used the clubrooms for five hours a week, was costing the business $180 each time. The group brought its own tea, coffee and sandwiches and only spent about $100 it cost $90 an hour to have the bar area open, Mr Crow said.

More changes are on the cards, including removing the mural on the wall running along Devon St East and creating revenue by allowing an advertising company to lease two billboards on the site.

Mr Crow, who runs a pornography business in Auckland, said he had already booked the billboards for November to advertise New Plymouth's first Erotica expo.

The majority of members accepted the changes were needed to ensure the club's survival but a small group were attempting to cause trouble, he said.

"They say we're in it purely for the money, which is rubbish. If we were in it for the money we would have bulldozed the place.

"David and I got into this for one reason and one reason only, to honour our father's deathbed wish that the RSA survives in New Plymouth."

Mr Crow said the club needed to attract new membership to ensure a prosperous future.

"We have to juggle the balls to keep the RSA identity without discouraging non-RSA people to come here."

The mural was seen as a barrier to attracting new members and would be gone as soon as the weather permitted, he said. However, a small section at the Fitzroy end with the RSA emblem and a poppy would remain.

Mr Crow was disappointed he was having to fight members to secure the club's future.

"What we are dealing with is elderly people who are resistant to change.

"They have shown a complete lack of understanding or a willingness to understand."

Former RSA member Hawea "Guv" Grey was angry the brothers had taken away the responsibility of running the RSA from the executive committee.

Mr Grey was also against the Erotica expo being advertised on the site.

He said it did not fit with the image of an RSA.

- © Fairfax NZ News