The association reported a healthy surplus of $85,134 for the financial year at its annual meeting last night.
That follows previous surpluses of $112,007 and $143,663.
The series of windfalls has left the association with a rather happy bank manager.
Otago’s cash reserves have swollen from $329,425 in 2021 to $454,728.
It is a decent war chest but the association will need it, chief executive Mike Coggan says.
"Coming out of Covid, we’ve just been really prudent and conservative around our spending, while at the same time making sure we invest in our professional and community game," he said.
Coggan said the association delayed replacing some staff which helped reduced its expenses, and it also received an increase in gaming funding.
It plans to invest a decent chunk of its reserves — $150,000 — on developing a permanent winter marquee at Tonga Park.
The temporary facility has already proven its worth this season.
Otago has posted a win in its opening game of the summer for the first time in five years and the winter marquee was credited with playing a major role in the strong early season form.
The OCA plans to upgrade to a permanent fixture in time for the 2024-25 season.
New Zealand Cricket will foot the bill for the structure, but the OCA will need to raise the funds for the ground works.
"We have some reasonably big projects ahead including the permanent performance facility, and that is the reason why we are continuing to try and build our equity base.
"NZC will pay for the canopy ... but the responsibility for Otago Cricket will be to prepare the land.
"It could be up to $500,000. Together it’ll probably be a $1.3 million project.
"Hopefully that will be up and running by the middle of 2024."
The OCA had more or less depleted its cash reserves to upgrade the embankments at the University Oval in 2015, so has had to slowly rebuild.
"We build equity to be prepared for rainy days and things like funding projects or unforeseen things. But the board has certainly mandated to invest upwards of $150,000 of our reserves for the marquee.
"It might be more, it might be less depending on how we go with our fundraising."
There is one change on the board. Former Black Cap and Volts all-rounder Nathan McCullum takes the spot on the board vacated by Rachel Pullar.
Former Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum and former OCA president John Ward were made life members, while Craig Cumming, Mike Hesson, Katey Martin and Helen Simpson were made honorary members.
Honorary member is a new title and will bestow the same rights as life members enjoy, which is free admission to all matches played across OCA domestic grounds, invitation to all key events and acknowledgement on the honours board.
Cumming is Otago’s first-class all-time leading scorer. Hesson guided the Volts to a one-day title in 2007-08 and T20 title in 2008-09. Martin played a record 169 one-day games for the Sparks and Simpson has scored for Albion Cricket Club for more than 50 years.
