It’s been abandoned for four years, but a proposal for a $740,000 childcare centre and major building refurbishment could bring the former Katoomba Bowling Club site back to life.
Katoomba RSL manager Nick Darias said the 6000 square metre site didn’t go to auction but was recently purchased from the club, with settlement due in December.
Theo Poulos Real Estate principal Peter Poulos confirmed the buyer was from the Lower Blue Mountains and lodged a development application – currently on public exhibition – with a view to leasing the lower ground floor to a childcare centre operator.
"We are happy it was sold to people that will be developing it into something that will benefit the community," Mr Darias said.
He also said the sale would strengthen Katoomba RSL Club's financial position.
Vince Hardy from Cityscape Planning and Projects said the design for the development would enhance the site and make the building much more appealing to the eye.
"The external skin of the building and the internal fit-out will be significantly refurbished, giving the building a completely new look," Mr Hardy said.
"There will also be substantial landscaping with a mix of features in the playground, which will have everything in it from a cubby house and climbing equipment to soft fall surfaces, winding paths and garden beds for growing fresh produce."
The upper ground floor and the green facing Bowling Green Avenue are not part of the proposal.
Features of the development application include reconfiguration of internal floor space and on-site car park, a new building entrance, extensive landscaping and playground space bordered by secure fencing and acoustic screening and building finishes such as metal roofing, new glazing and painted masonry.
A total of 50 parking spaces (including 20 within the Dora Street road reserve) will be provided and vehicular access to the site will only be via Dora Street.
The proposal is to operate a long day care centre for up to 120 children aged 0 to six. It will be open Monday to Friday from 7am to 7pm and will create 18.5 employment positions.
The application contains a detailed needs assessment report prepared by Business Geographics Pty Ltd that concludes the supply of long day care places in Katoomba "does not appear to be meeting the estimated underlying demand."
The report states there are currently three long day care centres supplying a total of 144 places to an estimated market of 1346 children aged under five.
While this age group of children is only forecast to grow in the study area (Wentworth Falls to Blackheath) by 0.48 per cent between now and 2018, the report found there was sufficient underlying demand for an additional 100 long day care places by 2018 without creating a significant oversupply.
The Katoomba Bowling Club was closed in mid-2009.
