If approved by the Joint Regional Planning Panel, the $31M project would see a new state-of-the-art clubhouse built alongside the existing premises on the Central Coast Highway (in what is now the front carpark), with the old building to be eventually demolished.
The new club would feature the main entry, an RSL Museum, reception for the motel and club and undercover car parking.
The first floor would house a dining area with multiple food offerings, lounge, bar and terraced area with huge glass panels while the second floor would contain a sports bar, conference/event space, and potentially a rooftop bar/restaurant and microbrewery;
Club CEO Russell Cooper said planning had been underway for three years.
“We conducted extensive research and considered many options for the future development of the club,” Mr Cooper said.
“We wanted to ensure that the plan we settled on would ensure the short, medium and long-term success and viability of the club.
“Unfortunately, the state of the current building would not allow for that.
“This proposal incorporates a commanding street presence and a much more efficient use of space.
“We believe this development will result in a hospitality destination that our members and the wider Gosford and Central Coast community will be proud of.
“It was vital that we could ensure that this development would allow us to continue trading from the current clubhouse throughout the construction period.”
Once the new clubhouse is built, the current clubhouse will be demolished, and that area will be converted to car parking.
Mr Cooper said the current clubhouse was about 4500 sqm and the new building would be closer to 6800 sqm.
“The footprint is about 3,500 sqm which is basically the site of the existing car park that fronts Central Coast Highway,” he said.
“We also thought it was really important to have a striking and significant building to mark the gateway to Gosford and the Central Coast.”
Mr Cooper said the conference facilities would be a significant part of the development with almost 800 sqm of conferencing and event space on the upper floor.
There will be a total of 291 car spaces, some undercover.
The RSL Club has come a long way. Originally located in Mann Street, nearly opposite Gosford railway station, it was gutted by fire in January 1973, and moved to its current location on the Galaxy Motel site soon after.
With 140 employees now on the books, the development will see more jobs on offer, although numbers are not yet clear.
If approved, the project would 2 to 2½ years to complete.
