Clubs unite after lengthy negotiations

The amalgamation of the Te Mata Croquet Club and the Hastings Croquet Club has been the result of lengthy negotiations between the two clubs since 2008. Photo / Warren Buckland

The amalgamation of the Te Mata Croquet Club and the Hastings Croquet Club has been the result of lengthy negotiations between the two clubs since 2008.

The Hastings Croquet Club was established in 1927 when land was purchased on the corner of McLeod St and Omahu Rd. Subs were 1 6 shillings and 3 pence with a rebate of 5 shillings and 3 pence if paid by December 31. Cup of tea was 1 penny. The first clubhouse was built in October 1927. In the 1931 earthquake there was fortunately no damage to the property and by 1949 the membership had increased to 50.

However, in July 2001 because of declining membership, a decision was made to sell the complex so the members transferred to a leased lawn at the Kia Toa Bowling Club. In 2008 the club purchased an adjoining property and laid another lawn. Unfortunately again due to a decline in members, this lawn was sold and the decision made to discontinue the lease at the bowling club.

Since the foundation of the Te Mata Croquet Club in 1992, the club has leased the land and clubrooms from the owner of the property which was to terminate in 2022.

The owner agreed to sell the portion of the property which included the lawns, clubhouse and an area for two new lawns.

At this stage the club was operating from one year to the next and had no capital funds for the purchase.

Because of falling membership the game of golf croquet was introduced in 1996 which has increased membership to approximately 110 to date.

With the assets of the Te Mata Croquet Club and generous donations from members and the capital from the Hastings Croquet Club, negotiations have been proceeding between the two clubs until the present arrangement was put in place at a meeting in November 2014, when a new proposition was put to each club.

This deal was very different to any previous proposition.

It was put together initially by Malcolm Campbell of the Hastings Croquet Club and Jim Christie from the Te Mata Croquet Club. After a number of meetings between the two clubs negotiating teams, a final "Memorandum of Agreement" was compiled and each club held special general meetings where the proposal was presented.

It was agreed that both clubs produce the funds to purchase the club from the owner and the new club would gift the land to the Hastings District Council, who would create a reserve in the form of a park.

It has taken 12 months to work through all the processes, but now everything is in place and the new club the "Heretaunga Croquet Club" has a 33-year lease agreement with the right of renewal, for the annual cost of a peppercorn rental.