Horowhenua StarThe Levin Club is set to close later this month with a big farewell party planned for Friday, May 16.
Ross Campbell, president of the 114-year-old club, says once members understood the club’s financial situation they agreed with a proposal to close.
President Ross Campbell outside the Levin Club. He hopes members will find a good home at the Cossie Club or the RSA. Photo Janine Baalbergen
“There has been a slow downturn since Covid hit and I think that’s still making life hard for the hospitality industry in general,” Ross says. “People got used to socialising at home with friends rather than go to a club.
“The memberships has been in decline for the last few years, too.”
The Levin Club has 380 members, 100 of whom are active.
Ross has been a club member for 19 years and served as president for the past five years. He says there are several reasons for closing the club, but the main one is financial.
“Three chartered clubs in one town is becoming a bit much, I think, at least these days.”
He’s hoping members will find a home with the RSA or the Cosmopolitan Club.
“We were a small boutique club, famous for our Christmas carpark party, where 300-400 people filled the carpark and the building for live music.”
The club formed in 1911 and had some illustrious members, such as Victoria Cross holder and Governor-General Sir Bernard Freyberg. He was a local dentist, captain of the swimming club, served in both world wars and was wounded 19 times.
Another VC holder was Leslie Andrew, a railways clerk who fought with the 2nd Wellington Battalion at the Somme in the First World War.
Both men were life members of the Levin Club.
The club opened officially on July 15, 1911. Major John Liddle was the first president. He also became president of the AP&I Show and was one of the first Levin Club life members.
The first woman elected to full club membership was Therese Murphy, in January 1982. The first female president was Cath Trotter, elected in 2005.
Closing night will be Friday, May 16, with a concert involving local bands who over the years have frequented the club.
The building will be put up for sale, and fixtures and fittings will available for sale. Most of the memorabilia, however, has already gone to good homes.
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