THE Southport RSL Memorial Club has awakened from a financial slumber to launch a five-year $5 million master plan that will incorporate a rooftop lounge and deck.
General manager Paul McGuire recently took the RSL board on a field trip to look at other clubs in the region and was inspired by recent rooftop renovations at the Greenbank RSL Club in Brisbane.
The club was last month granted approval of its gaming and liquor licences, enabling it to come out of receivership. The club encountered difficulties in 2001 and went into receivership management.
Architects Brand + Slater are designing the new look venue. A five-year masterplan will include six stages of redevelopment. Stage one is a $1.3 million renovation of the foyer and gaming room.
“I was looking at some pictures of the opening 14 years ago and nothing had changed, so this is an exciting time for the club,” says McGuire.
“After taking the board on a club tour and seeing what they had accomplished at Greenbank with their rooftop venue, they asked why we couldn’t do something similar. The views from the rooftop look straight down to the boat club.”
McGuire says the club’s emergence from receivership and planned renovations has renewed its focus on its responsibilities to members and it can now deliver on its ‘entertainment central’ slogan.
“We are looking forward again and we’re keen to unveil some great plans for the new design, from carpet to new furniture and the relocation of the gaming area to enable more open space for members to enjoy,” he says.
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