It’s now all systems go for massive
Kurrawa Club redevelopment
By HENRI LACH
One of the most ambitious,
farsighted and expensive licensed
club redevelopment projects in
Queensland this century finally is
underway.
lifesaver members. Rob and his
board have no doubt that these
numbers will increase substantially
as club goers are attracted to the
new facilities.
The Kurrawa Surf Club at
Broadbeach on the Gold Coast
is taking a giant step forward by
moving back its footprint several
metres south, to plush new
architecturally designed premises,
after years of uncertainly.
It must be noted that the Kurrawa
Surf Club’s progress to this stage
of redevelopment is a saga of epic
proportions. Even before the turn
of the century, and after some
cosmetic improvements to the
club premises, Rob and his board
realised that their iconic venue at
Broadbeach - a pivotal location on
the Gold Coast - needed serious
upgrading.
The current building will be
demolished and the site will revert
to public land.
This is a massive redevelopment
with an estimated $10 millionplus price tag, and a completion
date of December 2017, in time
for the Coast’s hosting of the 2018
Commonwealth Games.
Kurrawa Club’s General Manager
Rob Aldus, who is CMAA Gold Coast
Zone vice-president, is extremely
pleased that years of planning
have come to fruition. He’s now in
his sixteenth year at the helm of
Kurrawa and his comment almost is
like a sigh of relief. “It’s a wonderful
opportunity, and very exciting for the
club,” he said.
He’s also confident it will be
a smooth transition from the
old premises to the new, with
enthusiastic staff determined to
make it all work. The present social
membership of Kurrawa is a shade
over 16,000, with more than 600
IQ 32
After all, it’s had a record as a
magnet for visitors and locals
alike for many decades, as well as
fulfilling a vital role in maintaining
life-saving facilities. The legalisation
of poker machines in Queensland in
1991further enhanced its attraction
and cash flow, but not necessarily
its profile and status.
The solution to the club’s aspirations
appeared to come in 2011 from
an unexpected quarter - Jupiters
Casino. Local media was abuzz with
reports that a multi-million-dollar
deal had been struck between
the casino and the club for a joint
venture to build a brand new, ultramodern premises near the current
club site.
Reportedly, land-locked Jupiters,
more than a kilometre from
the beach, wanted a seaside
retreat for its high rollers.
However, it was all pie in the sky.
Club Supporters’ President at the
time was Paul Taylor. He quit that
post to successfully contest the
Gold Coast City Council elections
in 2012 for Division 10, which
embraces most of Broadbeach,
including the Kurrawa Club. He
retained his seat in this year’s March
poll by a comfortable majority. As
a life member of the club, he’s
understandably a staunch supporter
of Kurrawa. He also can claim total
knowledge of the club’s dealings
during his tenure on the board.
Councillor Taylor is adamant that
the Jupiters link was all just media
hype. “The club did not make any
deal with Jupiters at any time.” he
says.
That’s echoed by current board
director and supporters’ president
Stewart Palmer. “Kurrawa Club has
never been in any arrangement with
Jupiters, and we never will be. It can
never happen,” he said.
Aside from all that, the club’s own
redevelopment proposals to council
have taken a number of forms during
the past eight years, from ideas for
extensive refurbishment to total
reconstruction.