IMPORTANT: Clubhouse repairs

The insurance claim has been satisfactorily concluded now, meaning there is no longer any need for the hockey club to temporarily fund clubhouse repairs. (JG 5th November 2023)

Wilmslow Hockey Club is going to use £20,000 from our reserves to expedite repairs to the clubhouse so that we and other sports can use our clubhouse and bar again as soon as possible. 

Phoenix continue to pursue the insurance claim for the repair works and will repay WHC once the insurance claim is settled. This is a significant decision which the Committee has taken very seriously. We have considered the interests of the members, the financial sustainability of the club, our CASC/tax obligations and the terms of the Constitution. We believe this is the right course of action for the club and an appropriate use of the funds we have been prudently holding for just this kind of emergency (and also as seed money for a new astro pitch in future).   

We will be putting this decision into practice in the next 24 hours so repair work can start next week.

There is more information below for those who are interested. If anyone has questions or concerns, please reply to this ASAP.

Further information

Phoenix (which is responsible for the clubhouse and to which all WHC members also belong) is progressing an insurance claim for contents, buildings and business interruption following the flooding of the clubhouse. The insurer has paid out for some of the claim and so far the insurance money has been used to replace the hall and changing room flooring and repair some of the lower walls. 

However, the insurance claim is not yet fully settled and until a further payout is received Phoenix does not have the funds to complete the repairs and return the clubhouse to full use. Phoenix are hopeful that the insurance claim will be settled and paid out in the next few weeks, but there are no guarantees on the timing or value of the payout.

By making this payment to Phoenix, WHC will enable the rapid reinstatement of the clubhouse and bar - which will benefit all our members and help rebuild some of the social and community aspects of our club that we are all missing (one of our core values is “Enjoyment”). Re-opening the bar also brings Phoenix a much needed revenue stream. 

We are putting in place a written agreement with Phoenix which means that as soon as the insurance pays out, Phoenix will repay WHC. We have also included provisions for a worst case scenario, where the insurance payout is less than our payment or takes longer than we hope.

This has been a significant decision for the committee to take but we believe the decision is in the best interests of WHC members and we have applied an appropriate level of rigour to the decision and terms of the agreement to protect our club and our members.