Renovations underway for Gympie RSL

Monday 20th April, 2020

Above: an artist’s impression of the new upper level of Gympie RSL after renovations are complete.

Gympie RSL’s long-awaited renovations have commenced this week, with the club set to transform into a new dining, social and entertainment hub for the Gympie community.

Club CEO Steve Lancaster said work commenced Monday and includes a 36-week construction program that will bring all the club’s core services and outlets onto one level for patrons.

“Members and guests will be able to enjoy brand-new restaurant, café, bar, foyer and gaming facilities,” Mr Lancaster said.

“These will all be conveniently located on our new upper level, with direct access through a new foyer from our main car park.

“We’ll be finalising the menus for our new food offers in the coming months, but our focus will be on providing a range of high quality, traditional club favourites.”

The main dining area will cater for up to 120 diners, with a new family corner and a combination of indoor and outdoor tables. The new upper level will also include a central bar, lounge area, deck and new gaming lounge with 92 of the latest gaming machines.

Downstairs, the existing restaurant, lounge and bar areas will be transformed into meeting rooms and function spaces, each with their own dedicated bar. The Sports Bar will be extended to include a new lounge and seating area, gaming machines and deck.

“We’re very excited to get construction underway after years of planning and build up to this moment,” Mr Lancaster said.

“Despite the difficult time for the club during the COVID-19 closure period, it provides us with an ideal opportunity to get into the early construction phase without impacting our customers.

“We’ve been working with our builder Rubicon Design and Construct to re-align the building program and make the most of this time early in the project. It’s a great opportunity for us to get some of the demolition work and changes to our downstairs foyer completed, without impacting customers.”

Mr Lancaster said the multi-million dollar renovation will provide more than 50 jobs during construction, with the project due for completion in early December.

The announcement comes ahead of ANZAC Day this Saturday, a special day for the club and its members.

“This will be the first time in the club’s history that we won’t be open for Anzac Day, however we are encouraging our community to invoke the ANZAC spirit by lighting up the dawn this ANZAC Day,” Mr Lancaster said.

“When times are tough, Australians have always relied on the distinctive qualities of mateship, humour, ingenuity, courage and endurance to get us through.

“So this year, we’re asking the community to stand on your driveway at 6am on Anzac Day with a light or candle and commemorate all those who have served and sacrificed.

“We also take this opportunity to remind our members that our welfare services are still operating.

“Our volunteers are reaching out via phone to our veterans to check in, while our advocate service is still available to assist with Department of Veterans’ Affairs claims and assistance.”

For more information on the renovations, make sure you are following Gympie RSL on Facebook.

Coming soon….