Rotorua CT Club blocks RSA merger plan

Rotorua CT Club members have voted against a merger with the Rotorua RSA when it moves premises next year.
The RSA has bought a new site - the former Turners and Growers building near Pak 'n Save - and asked the CT Club to merge with it to create a "super club" which would have had about 2500 members.
Most RSA members had given very positive feedback about the proposed merger with 99 per cent voting in favour, but CT Club members voted against at a special meeting on Tuesday night.
CT Club president John MacMillan said the club had voted heavily against it.
"People want to keep what we've got."
Mr MacMillan said everything had been going well at the club. It had a great atmosphere and, with summer coming, the pool and outdoor area would become popular.
However, he said the two clubs had quite a few mutual members and the clubs' doors would remain open to each other.
Rotorua RSA manager Rolly Rolston said he originally extended the invitation to the CT Club because a trend in New Zealand showed most clubs eventually joined forces when they started to dwindle.
While neither club was in trouble at the moment, Mr Rolston said the RSA had wanted to be clever and merge while both were still going strong.
"We've been around for 93 years, we want to be around for another 93 years," he said.
Despite the rejection Mr Rolston said it was the CT Club's choice not to merge and the RSA would keep progressing.
"We're just a bit disappointed they didn't want to come along," he said.
He said the RSA would still be relocating to its new premises by Pak 'n Save next year.
The RSA's current clubroom in Haupapa St, which the club owned, was for sale and several parties had already registered their interest, Mr Rolston said.
"It's a pretty prime location," he said. Following the old clubrooms' sale, Mr Rolston said redevelopment could begin on the new premises.
"It will be a lot more flash and modern," he said.
The project was expected to cost about $6 million. He could not confirm where the money would come from, but said it was hoped the club would be in its new premises by this time next year.