The Park Hotel on the corner of George and Keppel streets is a frenzy of activity as the property is being gutted, remodelled and refurbished by the team from Hines Constructions.

There are even plans for a new name.

It’s another big local project for David Hines, who has been contracted to do the work by a consortium that includes Andrew Dunshea and Ryan Cooney from Richard Steele Solicitors and Matt Harrowsmith from The Church Bar.

Mr Hines said Mr Harrowsmith brings the hospitality experience to the business.                                    

“They purchased this iconic pub about a year ago before shutting it down six weeks ago to start the refurb,” he said. 

“The place was in desperate need of some work. 

“The owners wanted to turn it into a really classy establishment with an emphasis on food.

“There’s a whole new state-of-the-art kitchen going in, along with a dining room. 

“In fact, it’s a major structural engineering effort because the new-look hotel is very much open plan to increase seating and open all areas up to the new prominent feature bar.”

Mr Hines said their focus at present is on the downstairs section of the hotel.

“There’s all-new air- conditioning going in and all the bathrooms and rooms will be redone,” he said. 

“It’s a total fitout. People won’t recognise the place when it’s finished.

“Part of the project also involves a rebadging of the hotel, but its new name is a closely guarded secret at this stage.

“It’s a major investment in Bathurst because the cost of the refurb is around the million dollar mark. 

“The good thing is this is an iconic local pub and it’s been a long time since any real money was spent on it.

“In the hotel industry, if you are not spending money on an establishment every five to 10 years you start falling behind the pack.”

Mr Hines said the outside of the hotel would also be going through some aesthetic improvements to complement what’s going on in its interior, but it would retain its heritage feel.