Panthers Bathurst is set for its biggest overhaul in more than 20 years with a $5.4 million refurbishment already underway.
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The three-stage construction program will transform much of the club during the next five years.
Stage one has begun on the ground floor and includes a refurbished entry, lobby and reception and an upgraded entrance ramp. The club’s 20-year-old canvas roof over the lounge will be replaced and the amenities adjacent to the lounge are in for a facelift.
Gamers will also benefit from the works with a reconfigured internal gaming room and expanded external gaming area.
Smoking areas off the club’s function rooms will also be refurbished.
Panthers’ general manager John Fearnley started with the club 20 years ago as cellarman, but he is excited to oversee the extensive works program.
He said following the works, the club will become more family-friendly when stage two gets underway.
“There’s going to be a new alfresco terrace and that’s going to look out onto the side street [Piper Street],” he said.
“There will be a new, purpose-built, kids’ area.”
There will also be a new, accessible toilet.
For sports fans, the club’s existing sports bar will get a major overhaul in stage three and turned into a James Squire bar with craft beer and a “premium” experience.
“It’s for craft beer, it’s a themed bar as well and we’re targeting the professional people,” Mr Fearnley said.
Mr Fearnley said the major works to be conducted at the club were all part of the Panthers’ roll-out of renovations across their seven clubs.
“Renovations have been done at Penrith Panthers, Port Macquarie is getting done, and now it’s our turn,” he said.
The planned works will be conducted over the next five years and Mr Fearnley said disruptions would be kept to a minimum.
“We’re trying to have the least amount of disruptions during the week,” he said.
The development application (DA) approved by Bathurst Regional Council on May 20 states there will be little impact to traffic in the area.
“It is considered that the proposed development will have a negligible impact on traffic generation to the site,” the DA said.
“The works are essentially upgrading works of existing facilities for the benefits of patrons.”
Noise during the works was also addressed in the DA.
“Operationally, noise impacts would be no different to existing operations,” the DA states.
All external works will be carried out during normal permitted work hours, while internal works may be conducted while the club is closed to minimise impact on operations.
