It’ s taken five years for the current plans to finally be approved, and redevelopment was ready to roll at the beginning of this year. But there was a hiccup at the eleventh hour. Objectors, some of whom don’ t even live on the Gold Coast, were parties to legal action against the whole project on environmental grounds. At hearings in August this year, Queensland’ s Environmental Court dismissed the objections.“ Sanity prevailed,” is the term used by Rob, his board members and Councillor Taylor.
So what can we expect from the brand spanking new Kurrawa Surf Club premises?
Rob Aldus, Councillor Paul Taylor, and Stewart Palmer check over the redevelopment plans.
According to the architectural assessments, this will be a world class venue.“ The new Surf Club will see an iconic community-focused building that will become the jewel in the crown of a revitalised Broadbeach area,” says a media release.
From a practical viewpoint, the new facility will provide increased storage space for life saving equipment, including rescue boats and associated vehicles. There’ ll also be training and recreation rooms for nippers as well as senior life savers. At the adjacent ground level, a café area will spill out into a spacious public undercover forecourt providing a venue for parkland joggers, cyclists and families with a stop-over for a cup of coffee or a snack.
At the upper level, an expansive dining lounge and bar will give club goers and diners the same spectacular views of Kurrawa Beach as those they now enjoy from the old club’ s veranda.
And there’ ll be a sophisticated games room with modernistic lighting and décor for those who love a punt on the pokies. The club has a current battery of 63 gaming machines, with licence to increase the number to 80.“ The 80 have been incorporated into the new design,” Rob Aldus said. Meanwhile, heavy machinery is at work on the club’ s foreshore. Councillor Taylor explains that it’ s part of the Gold Coast’ s multimillion-dollar foreshore protection program to establish sea walls, in the wake of recent devastating storms.
“ In the case of Kurrawa, the club is going to make a substantial contribution as part of the conditions of approval. That’ s for the club’ s long term benefit,” he said.
December 2017 certainly will be a red-letter month in the history of the Kurrawa Surf Club as the doors of its new premises welcome members and visitors.
There’ ll be a gala opening, but its format is yet to be decided. Rob Aldus is playing his cards close to his chest.“ There’ s a fair way of the build to go yet,” is his smiling comment.
“ An estimated $ 10 million-plus price tag, and a completion date of December 2017”
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