Alexander exits White City as Hakoah Club steps in

Jewish social group, the Hakoah Club, has bought Sydney's White City tennis and sporting complex.

It is believed that the Hakoah Club paid around $15 million for the eastern suburbs site.

The club's president, Phil Filler, has told members that the Club now plans to develop the site, including the old clubhouse, to provide a ''dynamic social, sporting, cultural and function facility''.

Earlier this month, former tennis champion John Alexander won a long court battle with long time owners the White City Tennis Club over breach of contract. Following Alexander's High Court win, he had been expected to proceed with his long planned redevelopment.

However, Alexander's company Poplar Holding Ltd, had to come up with about $6.7 million under an agreement with the property developer Lang Walker by the end of this month. Instead, Alexander left the negotiations to focus on his political career having won the Liberal Party pre-selection for the federal seat of Bennelong last year.

WCTC Directors placed the White City Tennis Club in Voluntary Administration after the High Court decision.

Having beaten several other groups to purchase the site, Filler explained that the Hakoah Club deal was the result of years of negotiation and persistence from his board to achieve a legacy for the community ''that will be on par with the best Jewish communal centres around the world'.

''Our vision for this site is not to duplicate what we had in Hall Street (the Clubâs former site in Bondi, which it left in November last year). We envisage that youth, families, mature members, communal organisations and local residents will enjoy this centre as a hub, indeed home, of the community.

''There is still much work to be done in the planning and redevelopment of the site to achieve our goals. We will continue to consult with the community and our members to ensure all stakeholders have an input in this very important project.''

Founded as a football club in the 1930s, the Hakoah Club grew into one of Sydney's wealthiest social clubs. Its longstanding home in Bondi (which featured gaming facilities, dining areas, function rooms, a gym and swimming pool) was sold to the Toga Group in 2007 for $18 million and the club closed its doors on 4th November 2010).

The club, which boasts high-profile members, both Jewish and gentile, including Frank Lowy, had reportedly looked at more than 50 possible new sites for its new club building.

3rd June 2010 - GAME, SET AND MATCH TO ALEXANDER IN WHITE CITY BATTLE