In the case of the Furlan Club, the situation is a little more complicated.
“The club is closed and this means that, besides having to distance ourselves from our members and friends, we aren’t generating any revenue but still have to pay expenses such as rent, taxes, insurance and more,” the club’s president, Peter Muzzolini, said.
Muzzolini explained that the club was already struggling financially before the pandemic, and that the committee decided to sell the headquarters in Matisi Street in 2015, to then secure a 20-year rental contract, with the option to renew every five years.
“Due to the economic losses incurred during this period, we have been unable to pay some instalments of rent and, subsequently, we have received a notification of eviction,” he said, adding that the club was still in talks with the landlord.
The Matisi Street headquarters, in the heart of Thornbury, contains a bistro that can seat up to 90 guests, a games room with 30 slot machines, some lounges for members and a room with a pool table where members can gather for a game or to play cards.
The building also houses a large dining, dancing and live entertainment space that seats around 350 guests and has a dance floor and stage, a commercial kitchen, a beer garden, nine bocce lanes and two squash courts.
While the state government has announced a series of measures to protect tenants who are struggling to pay rent due to the economic effects of coronavirus, Muzzolini said the club is in a grey area given it had financial problems before the pandemic began.
“We’re trying to find the best solution and save the club,” he said.
“Unfortunately, we’re not receiving much support from Darebin City Council, which is absolutely against any business that involves slot machines.
“But it doesn’t seem right to me, because the club is much more than that: it’s a community, cultural and sporting venue that’s been located in the heart of Darebin for 63 years.
“Furthermore, our doors are open not only to the Italian community, but to anyone who wants to visit.”
The committee is organising a fundraiser in a bid to save the club, or at least consider the option to move to another location, with the sole objective of keeping its doors open for all members and supporters.
“There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the future of the club and if we had at least the possibility of reopening, we could continue to operate and generate a profit,” Muzzolini said.
A “revival” program had been planned for this time, including new management and innovative activities, the first of which was scheduled for April 5, to celebrate Friuli Day, but was unfortunately cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions introduced by the government.
Muzzolini said many members were extremely saddened by the announcement of the club’s closure.
“Many members have been part of the club for 60 years and have shown great moral support,” he concluded.
“But we have to work out whether we can continue to rent the current location, consider merging with other clubs, or rent a new venue with a shorter contract.
“But we will do everything we can to keep the club open.
“Moreover, we have many antiques and memorabilia that are very precious to us and we are negotiating with the hope of being able to at least have more time for a dignified departure, if we’re unable to save the headquarters.”
