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The radical scheme to keep the Fishos in business
Chelsea White
18 April 2008
THE FISHOS could become the gateway to Manly under a radical redevelopment plan to save the struggling club.
An architect company which is among the club's creditors has drawn up a blueprint which they say could pull the venue back from the brink. It includes a 1500 sq m family friendly venue with live music and a ``low-key'' residential section of 45 units.
The club is facing liquidation or amalgamation as it struggles to pay creditors which include the ANZ bank, owed $1.8 million, as well as smaller suppliers and staff.
Mary Johnson, executive director of architects FPA International, said redeveloping the site is a better long-term goal.
FPA was already in discussions with Manly Council when asked to suspend the project last year.
``Given the opportunity (the Fishos) can recover and it could become quite a significant club, attracting more members,'' Ms Johnson said.
A meeting will be held on Monday when creditors will vote whether to pursue liquidation, amalgamation or a financial bail-out plan.
According to papers obtained by The Manly Daily yesterday, investment group McMillan Printing Unit Custodian has offered a package worth $3 million over two years, with creditors being paid back by August.
Ms Johnson agreed they could be seen as being biased in favour of the redevelopment as the firm would have a role.
But she said it was about more than money. ``It is an eyesore, but it is more than a building. You can see that through the members, you can see the bond between them it's home.''
Fayek Azer, FPA's managing director and architect, said redevelopment ensured the community and club benefited and the club's 100-year-old identity would be retained.
``This site is a special site, so much so, that it has been labelled The Gateway to Manly and as such needs to be given special consideration,'' he said.
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