FUTURE PLANNING: Wests’ Entertainment Group president John McClelland said plans for a 40-room motel on site in Phillip St and extensions to the main clubhouse over the next five to 10 years will diversify the club’s income streams. Photo: Robert Chapell 01112RCE04
A 40-ROOM motel and club extensions are the bold new plans for the West Tamworth League Club following the club group’s impressive profit of $3.192 million.
President of the Wests Entertainment Group, John McClelland, said the developments were not likely to happen immediately but were exciting components of the club’s master plan which will be discussed at the Wests annual general meeting on November 27.
“The refurbishments will include a revamp to the front entrance and the gaming area of Wests,” he said.
He said motel development was a five- to 10 year development project and was the result of a decision to diversify the club into the future.
“It’s been brought about by the idea the club should diversify and move away from its reliance on gaming to grow its business and develop other income streams,” he said.
“We felt a motel was a logical step as it would provide an opportunity to grow into a market we already service.”
Other clubs, including the big Wests Group Australia (Wests) in Newcastle, have done likewise and have two major accommodation complexes. In the New England and North West the Moree Services Club, the Tenterfield Bowling Club and the Tenterfield Golf Club also have accommodation facilities.
Mr McClelland said the idea of future planning was something that hadn’t been a focus of the club previously.
“A lot of development in the past has been more reactive, like the car park, which came about because we needed more space,” he said.
“The idea for the motel will be supported by the successful function set-up the club already has.
“The aim is to link in and develop and improve what is already there.”
Mr McClelland said he was hopeful there will be a drawing of what’s proposed available at the annual general meeting.
“This will show members what it would look like,” Mr McClelland said.
Work as part of the West master plan for future development is already under way.
One of the firsts steps, the construction of the $2.5 million, multi-level car park that will accommodate 222 cars, will be completed early in the new year.
One wing of the car park is slated to open to the public in time for Melbourne Cup celebrations.
Mr McClelland said it was hoped the rest of the car park would be ready in time for the arrival of the Country Music Festival in January.
Over the past 12 months refurbishments have been undertaken at Wests and Diggers as part of a commitment to improve club facilities.
The annual report revealed over the 2011-2012 financial year the group
reported a net profit of $1.364 million.
