Last Saturday, February 24 marked one year since the Katoomba RSL Club burnt down.
On Tuesday night, the club’s DA for a replacement building was approved, leaving CEO Nick Darias optimistic that it will be up and running by January next year.
“It is expected to take 38 to 44 weeks so we’re hoping to be in by the end of January,” he told the Gazette.
The estimated $12 million new club will feature three bars, a children’s play area, terraces and a number of lounges, said Mr Darias.
“The big thing for us is we’re going to have an auditorium that can fit 300 people – it’s a lot bigger than we had, with proper acoustics so we will be able to hold bigger shows with lots more people.”
There will be a porte cochere – or covered area – outside the new front door, which will offer protection from the weather for people being dropped off.
The memorial will be moved from its old site fronting Lurline Street to an area in front of the porte cochere. This means Anzac Day ceremonies will be able to be held wholly within the carpark, reducing the time needed to keep Lurline Street closed on the day, and reducing the traffic management costs.
The club has been using its sister club. Wentworth Falls Bowling Club, since the fire, offering a free courtesy bus to take members and guests there from Katoomba.
There are also administrative offices in Katoomba’s Town Square/Civic Centre complex.
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