Hello all,
A fairly important LAN related update for you today.
As many will know, there has been a recent change of ownership at the hotel.
The new owners have reached out to discuss the LANs, and in particular the bringing in of outside food and drink. We were expecting this conversation, as we know that over the years we have brought more and more into the LAN room and that this would be noticed by new management.
We have been incredibly fortunate so far with what we have been allowed to do - I don't think any other venue would have tolerated our shenanigans to the extent that the OC has. I am pleased to report that after negotiation with the hotel, we remain able to bring in a sensible amount of outside food and drink into the function room.
This will continue at a small cost to the Community (essentially a corkage fee), which will be paid for with LAN fees. For now the LAN fees will not change (they have remained the same for years), but please be aware that they may need to increase slightly in the future to cover the additional cost - we will let you know if that needs to happen.
I must stress the sensible part of this arrangement. In short, we are asking for attendees to not take the proverbial. Soft drinks and snacks are fine. Take away is fine. Beer and cider should be purchased at the bar. Spirits should ideally be purchased at the bar also, but a bottle of specific fancy tipple to share with friends in the early hours is not forbidden - but let's try to be discrete and reasonable here.
Please keep in mind that despite this change (and any other potential doom and gloom we might have discussed with recent events), we are still being given the function room entirely for free. Without this, the LANs could not continue in their current form - it would simply not be affordable.
Thanks to all for reading. I am sorry that I won't be able to join you at the next LAN, things are still manic as we get used to life down under. I hope to make an event in 2026 to catch up with you all then.
All the best,
Ben, on behalf of Council.