The Cobar Bowling & Golf Club board is making use of the club’s downtime to embark on a renovation project in the main bar.
While the club is currently closed due to the government’s Coronavirus regulations, which shut down pubs and clubs Australia-wide on March 23, the board is taking advantage of the situation.
The board’s plan to refurbish the 32 year old main bar has been in the pipeline since last year.
Club secretary/manager Brad Beetson said everything had already been set in place for the renovation work to begin before the club had to close last month.
Mr Beetson said after securing a bank loan earlier this year they engaged Dubbo builder, Geoff Bond, to carry out their work.
“Geoff did the renovations at the Coonamble Bowling Club and Warren RSL Club and did a good job,” Mr Beetson said.
Originally the bar renovations were to have been carried out around normal trading with a portable bar to be put into service customers while the main bar was being refurbished.
“Now we’ve taken this opportunity to do the work during this time,” Mr Beetson said.
Mr Beetson said while their builder is from Dubbo they have tried to use local tradesmen where they can, including using local contractors Warren Manns and Murray Harland for the refrigeration and electrical work.
Demolition on the old bar commenced last week and construction of the new bar is expected to start next week.
Staff had an input in the design of the new bar, which Mr Beetson said has a focus on providing an improved, streamlined service that will be of benefit to both customers and bar staff.
In addition to installing new stainless steel beer fonts, the tills will now be located on the main side of the bar (facing the customer) and each will have EFTPOS facilities.
The old TAB and Keno area is being enlarged for ease of operation and the main bar will also be extended to include a new a new administration area.
Mr Beetson said as part of the “freshen up” the ceiling tiles will be replaced throughout the main bar area.
He said they are also planning some special promotions in readiness for when they re-open.
Mr Beetson said they have been taking advice from Clubs NSW who have been looking at ways that clubs can progressively reopen while still safely abiding by government and health regulations.
The Golfie’s golf course and bowling greens have recently re-opened and members can use them again in line with social distancing laws.
Mr Beetson said the government’s Job Keeper program has enabled the club to re-employ 10 of their laid-off staff. The club will also benefit from additional government financial relief as their bank loan repayments have been put on hold for the next 3-6 months.
