Construction will finally begin midway through next year to replace the bowling club which was ravaged by fire during reconstruction around midnight on March 2, 2020.
The historic Club was forced to temporarily close its doors, after fire ripped through the building.
The blaze broke out in the gaming area of the popular bowlo, known officially as The Greens The Entrance just before midnight, tearing through the TAB, function room, main bar and lounge.
It took firefighters several hours to get the fire under control. Founded in 1939, it was one of the first bowling clubs on the Central Coast.
Now the Development Application for The Greens has finally been approved. Mingara Leisure Group announced the Development Application for The Greens had been approved by the Central Coast Regional Planning Panel.
After lengthy delays, this was heralded as great news for club members of The Greens – The Entrance, and the local community, who have been without their club for more than two years.
Mingara Leisure Group, Chief Executive Officer Paul Barnett said he was pleased the construction project for The Greens could finally begin.
“This project has received great support from the local community and Central Coast Council and our members have been incredibly patient as we have navigated this process,” Mr Barnett said.
“The unprecedented times we have all endured over the last two years have contributed to longer than expected timeframes, so this DA approval is a great news story for the local community.”
Extra car parking required
The DA has been approved with deferred consent, requiring Mingara Leisure Group to address some unresolved encroachment issues with the property boundaries.
Some of which date back to when the club first began 80 years ago. In addition, extra car parking will be required between Taylor St and Park Rd.
Mr Barnett said while these items were being remedied with Central Coast Council, Mingara Leisure Group would move forward with preparing construction documentation.
“We envisage a 12-month construction timeline for this project and expect to start building mid-2023.”
“Pleasingly, the Development Application approval also includes the two covered bowling greens, which were part of our original amalgamation proposal with The Greens. It will be great to deliver this project as intended to our members,” Mr Barnett said.
In addition to the building project, Mingara Leisure Group has also received approval from Central Coast Council to purchase the land parcel.
“We are working with Council on the re-classification of this land, which will take some time to be finalised before the purchase can be completed.”
“This acquisition is another positive step forward in redeveloping The Greens, The Entrance and securing the future of the club for many years to come.”
Mingara Leisure Group is a leader in the NSW Registered Clubs industry with extensive expertise and success in the amalgamation and management of Registered Clubs.
