Handle Bar Tavern to Close

Bankstown Sports Club will close the Handle Bar Tavern at the Dunc Gray Velodrome from Monday, May 3. The closure, however, does not equate to job losses. All 23 staff members will be offered continuity of service at other Bankstown Sports venues, depending on their needs.

Bankstown Sports Assistant Secretary/Manager Mark Condi, said “It is with deep regret that we have decided to cease operations at the Handle Bar Tavern after nearly 10 years of operation.”

Mr Condi said the closure was in no way a reflection on staff who have worked tirelessly to help build patronage at the venue. “The excellent contribution of staff has been acknowledged by the Board of Bankstown Sports Club,” Mr Condi said.

He said, however, that the decision was necessary in the current economic and business climate.

“We realise that some sporting groups use the Handle Bar Tavern on a regular basis, and many loyal patrons have supported the facility and come to adopt it as their preferred family venue. However, at this point, it is no longer viable for Bankstown Sports Club to operate this venue.

“We thank the local sporting clubs, the loyal patrons and the staff for supporting the venue over the past decade,” Mr Condi said.

“I would emphasise that all 23 staff at the Handle Bar will be offered continuity of service at  Bankstown Sports’ other venues, which includes Bankstown Sports, Bankstown Bowls and Baulkham Hills Sports, depending on what suits them,” Mr Condi said. The Youth Club will continue to operate at the Velodrome without change. 

Bankstown Sports Club agreed in 1999 to take carriage of the Dunc Gray Velodrome (an Olympic legacy venue) after the Sydney Olympics.  Since then the club has invested over $8 million and continues to underwrite an annual loss of about $500,000.

“The economic conditions affecting the clubs industry, the aftermath of the smoking legislation and the constant need to keep upgrading amenities for our patrons, have made it difficult for the Bankstown Sports club to continue absorbing this loss,” Mr Condi said.

He pointed out that, “World class cycling events, instigated by Bankstown Sports Club generated traffic to the tavern. However, the loss of future cycling events has meant a substantial reduction in revenues to the tavern.”