The Clubhouse Project
Killara Golf Club plans to upgrade the Clubhouse and improve Member facilities. The upgrade responds to Member feedback about the need for a better and more modern Clubhouse, and sets KGC up to be Sydney’s best private golf and sporting club north of the Harbour Bridge.
We are proposing an approximately $20 million upgrade (subject to market fluctuation), which retains the heritage quality of the current building while delivering brighter and more welcoming spaces for Members, their families and visitors.
We have upgraded the course with resounding success, and upgrading the Clubhouse is the logical next step.
A considerable amount of preliminary and preparatory work has been carried out to find a solution that delivers the most benefit to Members with the least disruption.
On 27 April 2023, an information session was held to discuss the steps that have been taken to get to this point, and the current design concept was shared.
Vision for the Clubhouse
The upgrade of the Clubhouse is proposed to include a slight expansion of the footprint to accommodate new and improved facilities.
This will help to secure the Club for the future whilst maintaining its traditions.
The Clubhouse has not been significantly refurbished since the 1980s and there are many aspects that are not fit-for-purpose or up to current standards.
The Board also costed the approach of ‘doing nothing’, that is, maintaining the facilities as they currently are. This approach delivers no enhancements to Members beyond what they already have, and the cost of doing nothing / maintenance is expected to be upwards of $10 million over the next 10 years.
Upgrading the Clubhouse will deliver significant enhancements for Members and will transform our ability to deliver the services and amenities that are expected at a Club of our calibre.
All care will be taken to ensure Members enjoyment of all facilities is maximised and disruption is minimised. While there may be some inconvenience, Members will still be able to use the golf course throughout construction, there will be no changes to the golf course as a result of the upgrade and we will have other arrangements in place for Bridge, Bowls and our House Members.
The upgrade will also improve access, utility, sustainability and accessibility throughout the Clubhouse, and expand our ability to offer function spaces.
While still only a design concept, we expect the upgrade will enhance the Clubhouse with new features including:
- Refreshed Member zone to include formal and informal dining, meeting spaces, lounge areas.
- A new entry to the Member’s area.
- Updated and flexible function spaces for events.
- New and modernised food and beverage facilities.
- Improved practice facilities.
- All-abilities access throughout.
- Improved carparking.
- Better connections to outdoor spaces.
Process from here
Further site surveys and planning will now begin to develop a refined design for the new Clubhouse.
We welcome feedback from Members about the early design concept and our vision for the Clubhouse, which can be provided via email to: clubhouseproject@kgc.com.au.
Drop-in information sessions will also be held at the Club so Members can ask questions to the project team and members of the Board. These will be held in the Billiards Room on:
- Tuesday 2 May 1:00pm – 2:30pm
- Sunday 7 May 11:00am – 12:30pm
- Thursday 11 May 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Members will have the opportunity to vote on the final plans once they are more advanced.
Next steps
FAQs
We welcome Members feedback on the proposal and have noted some of the frequently asked questions. If you have additional questions, please send them to the dedicated email: clubhouseproject@kgc.com.au.
Why do we need to upgrade the Clubhouse?
The Clubhouse has not been significantly refurbished since the 1980s and there are many aspects that are not fit-for-purpose or up to current standards.
Feedback from Members shows a need for a better and more modern facilities that are in line with what Members expect of a leading golf club like KGC.
What alternatives have been considered?
A large amount of preparatory work has taken place to arrive at the Board’s recommended approach. This firstly started by considering two options scoped by the Strategic Planning Committee (SPC), as well as the cost of ‘doing nothing’.
The first SPC option involved a major expansion of the building footprint and modification of the existing Clubhouse and the second involved building an entirely new Clubhouse down at the 8th hole car park.
Both included additional sports annexes and larger facilities, and the second option would have required changes to the golf course itself. Further, both options would have cost between $50-70 million and required the Club to sell all of the valuable, developable land it holds.
The cost of ‘doing nothing’ or undertaking the maintenance works that would be required to keep the Clubhouse functional have been estimated to cost between $5-10million over the next five years, and would deliver no additional amenities or benefits to Members.
This led a fourth option, and the Board’s recommended approach: renovating the existing Clubhouse and slightly expanding the footprint to accommodate new and improved facilities for Members. It is estimated (subject to market fluctuations) this will cost a much more manageable $20 million, while delivering the amenities Members want and need.
Have we called upon Members with relevant experience/skill sets in the process?
Yes. The Board and the SPC has been consulted to land on this recommended option. We have drawn on the variety of Members in these groups who have exceptional skills in a wide range of relevant areas including property, planning, finance and projects.
What will the upgraded Clubhouse include?
While the final design is still to be decided, the upgrade would enhance the Clubhouse with new features including a refreshed Member zone to include formal and informal dining, meeting spaces, lounge areas as well as updated and flexible function spaces and new food and beverage facilities. We’ll improve all-abilities access and improve the connections to outdoor spaces, as well as improving practice facilities and improved car parking. As part of the work to finalise a design for the Clubhouse, the Board is also exploring what driving range options might be possible, as well as new recreation facilities such as a gym, health and wellness centre.
Have you considered increasing parking?
We are still at the early stages of the project, and no plans are final yet, however we will be involving a number of consultants and planners in the project. We plan to engage a transport planner to obtain their advice on car parking and also consult with Council on their car parking requirements as the project progresses.
How will you manage heritage?
Appropriately managing heritage is a core component of the design process, and it will inform the work as we progress.
The final design of the Clubhouse will deliver the improvements we need, whilst ensuring that heritage features are maintained and enhanced.
How much will the development cost?
It is expected the upgrades to the Clubhouse would cost approximately $20 million, but that is subject to market fluctuations. It is not possible to be precise at this stage on the exact cost of a development or the revenues that would be gained.
The Board is insistent that the amount spent will be based on revenues received and minimal, if any, borrowings.
What land is the Board proposing to sell to fund the development?
The Board is proposing to sell the visitor’s car park and retail shops on the Pacific Highway, and possibly also the former Greenkeeper’s house at 63 Provincial Road. The Board would structure a land transaction that enables KGC to retain access to one level of undercover car parking in the redeveloped land, essentially exchanging car parking for car parking.
Selling these non-core, non-strategic assets is a sensible investment for the future and will provide a much better experience for Members.
How will you protect against cost overruns? Will there be a Member levy introduced to cover the development?
No. There is no intention to levy Members. The Board’s plans to match costs to revenue by staging construction to minimise the risk of cost overruns.
How would new revenue streams be generated?
The upgraded Clubhouse would offer the potential for new and additional revenue streams as a result of the new facilities, which are expected to be generated through functions and events, and subject to Member views, the possibility of opening a driving range or other fitness, health and wellness facilities.
The specifics of this will of course be subject to the final plans, and relevant feasibility analysis will take place.
Will there be disruptions – to the Course, to House Members etc.?
During construction there will be no disruption to the golf course, and there will be no changes to the course at all as a result of the upgraded Clubhouse.
While there may be some inconvenience this will be minimised, and alternative arrangements will be put in place for our bridge and bowls players as needed.
What are the next steps?
The next step is to progress with the detailed plans and studies to determine the final proposal for the Clubhouse development, which will be subject to approval by Members. This would lead to preparation of a formal development application, and structuring land sale/s.
I have questions about the proposed building design, can I see the plans?
The designs and visuals we have shared with Members are design concepts only, to show what might be possible, and no decisions have been made yet. We welcome Members input on what they would like to see in the upgraded Clubhouse.
We will share the final designs for the Clubhouse with the Membership when they are complete.
Can I give feedback?
Feedback on the proposal is very much welcome. Please email clubhouseproject@kgc.com.au.
