We have finally reached a stage where we can give you a meaningful update on our Clubhouse renovation project.
As I mentioned in my message pre-Christmas, we were continuing to work with our project manager and the builder – SMLXL to finalise a price and scope that would allow us to proceed with the renovation process. I am happy to advise that we have now achieved this milestone and by the time you read this, we will have signed a Letter of Intent with SMLXL, which means the preliminary works can commence. The signing of the contract is imminent. The perimeter fence will be installed on Friday 24th February, which means some diversions will be in place for this weekend (Detailed map below). However, we will still operate out of the clubhouse until the power supply is cut off. This will give the management team time to get the temporary facilities up and running and iron out any potential issues, whilst still having the use of the bunker bar and current locker rooms and toilets.
The program for the next 3 weeks is as follows:
- Toilet blocks arrive on Thursday 23rd February (Flagpole lawn and 16th tee, toilet on the 6th hole will be a week later).
- Site fencing install – Friday 24th February – New diversions in place
- Building site amenities, Monday/Tuesday 27/28 Feb
- Services isolation and move out of clubhouse facility – Monday 6th March
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- Move to online booking for all timesheets
- Final members “Call” Friday 3rd March
- Reception moves into Proshop – Monday 6th March
- Start soft demolition – Wednesday 8th March
- Hard demolition internal and external – Monday 13th March onwards
We are still planning for a 6 month build period which should see our new clubhouse open in September 2023. The WaterGrill restaurant is planned to open concurrently with our new clubhouse area and we will be planning some exciting events to celebrate opening the new spaces.
We needed a number of meetings to review and modify our design specifications. Most of the changes are internal/back of house and will not change the design you have seen in prior videos with the exception of the deck & the shade sails. The originally planned deck was to be 2 levels and has been modified to be a larger one-level design. The shade sails have been replaced with Large umbrellas. We believe the end product we deliver will be something we will all be proud of. I would like to thank the Board, HGW and SMLXL together with Andy and Simon for the significant efforts required to get a solution at a price we can manage. The latest design will be available for you to review as soon as we can organise it.
The pricing for this project has been a challenge to keep in a range that we can manage and our final agreed price for the build with SMLXL is $4.75 million. This is higher than our original upper limit of $4.0 million, but I am sure everyone is aware of the escalation in building costs that has occurred since we began with our original design in March 2022. We have an approved loan facility of $4.5 million with NAB and we had earmarked $1.0 million of our own funds for this project. The balance of this $5.5 million over the build cost will be required to pay for project costs and items that are not included in the builders’ quote e.g. furniture and to provide us with a contingency for any unknown outcomes.
We have revisited our finance plan for the next 5 years using the latest interest rates and confirmed we can service the loan without any undue pressure on normal operations.
The transition facilities are already partially in place and will be finalised over the next couple of days to prepare for our exit from the clubhouse. You will be updated regularly on the expected transition timetable. I know that there will be frustrations in moving around the 1st and 11th tees and short-term parking changes to deal with and I ask you to give Andy and the team your understanding and support as they navigate this process. The next few months will still be warm enough to provide an opportunity for you to share a beverage after your game under the marquee or around the outdoor areas. We will be doing our best to provide an enjoyable experience.
Please find below a map of the car park, temporary facilities, Pro Shop and new directional pathways to navigate around 1st and 11th tees. The safety of our members and guests is a top priority and for this reason, we have separated some of the zones between pedestrian and cart traffic. The most significant change is the exit from both the 10th and 18th greens for cart traffic, carts will not be permitted inside the area near the food truck and temporary office.
We have also changed the location of cart parking. We ask that all carts are returned to the same location they picked them up from. No carts will be permitted near the current entry to the Pro Shop due to traffic movement and deliveries.
Please click here if you would like to download a larger copy of this map.
We will update you regularly as we progress on this exciting journey and get closer to our strategic goal of financial sustainability.
Lance Barnes
Club President
