8 minute read
REDEVELOPMENT: INGLEBURN BOWLING CLUB
Bowled over
Ingleburn Bowling Club has rolled into a new era following a $15 million makeover.
WHEN INGLEBURN RSL made the call to shut the doors of Ingleburn Bowling Club in early 2024, the plan was to breathe new life into a beloved but time-worn venue. At the time, the club estimated the redevelopment would cost just over $12 million. After 16 months and a string of unforeseen challenges, the final bill came in at just over $15 million. But for Ingleburn RSL CEO Glenn Cushion that figure isn’t a cause for concern.
“There are no regrets,” he said.
“It would be more than fair to say we have exceeded the former club’s members and community’s expectations of our investment into this facility.”
That sense of civic and community responsibility has underpinned the project from day one. When Ingleburn RSL and Ingleburn Bowling Club amalgamated almost five years ago, the bowling club was struggling. It had its charms, but the clubhouse had seen better days. By the time Ingleburn RSL took over, the building was run down and in a state of disrepair.
“The premises was decades old,” Cushion said.
“There were two contributing factors we had to consider: the age of the facility, and the fact that, prior to the amalgamation, the club was facing financial challenges. That meant there simply wasn’t enough money to reinvest in the facility – or even to properly maintain it.
“It was somewhat run-down; one might say it was almost a broken facility when we amalgamated.”
Despite its condition, Cushion said the management team was optimistic about the bowling club’s future.
“We always had a positive approach to Ingleburn Bowling Club,” he said.
“It made sense that Ingleburn RSL and Ingleburn Bowling Club became one club. We committed over 10 years in the MOU to spend just over $6 million.
“Proudly, we’ve more than doubled that expenditure, and certainly the Board, members, and our community have fully supported that.”
More than a makeover
Initially, the club hoped to retain elements of the original structure.
The architect, Peter Hosking of Quattro Architecture, was instructed to preserve as much of the building as possible. But reality had other plans. This included contaminated soil, asbestos, and waterlogged ground, which undermined the footing and resulted in extensive screw piling and the installation of additional footing. Even with those challenges, the club pressed forward.
“The understanding from the bowls community, the membership, and the Board of Directors has been so important,” Cushion said.
“They recognised that you’re renovating and rebuilding a facility that’s decades old, and there will be problems, there will be additional expenses, and there was a contingency in the original budget but I’m happy to share the contingency wasn’t enough.”
During the rebuild, Ingleburn’s bowlers were given a temporary home at Campbelltown Bowling Club, a gesture that reflected the strong ties between the two neighbouring venues.
“Ironically, I used to work for Campbelltown Catholic Club, which operates Campbelltown Bowling Club,” Cushion said.
“When Campbelltown Bowling Club underwent renovations a couple of years ago, their bowlers came here. And when we were under construction, our bowlers went there. I’m very grateful to Campbelltown Catholic Club for their generous hosting and goodwill.”
Getting a glow-up
What’s emerged from the rubble is not just a renovation, but a completely new space for the local bowls team and the wider community. Designed with durability, comfort and functionality in mind, the new club is a modern take on the traditional workers’ venue. The interior fitout, led by Michelle Hosking of Quattro Architecture, embraces an industrial-inspired aesthetic through warm timber finishes, textured surfaces, and statement lighting.
The club now offers distinct zones – something that previously didn’t exist. On entry, guests are greeted with a spacious seating area featuring robust, metal furniture and exposed brick walls – a nod to the industrial design ethos that runs throughout.
Adjacent to that is a lounge space designed for relaxation, complete with plush seating and ambient lighting. The bar, a focal point of the venue, contrasts warm timber against raw concrete and steel accents to create a welcoming yet edgy atmosphere.
“One of the objectives in design we wanted to achieve was that whilst you’re under one roof, you could feel like you’re in a different area,” Cushion said.
“Each area has a definition and a difference.”
A dedicated sports zone is equipped with large-screen TVs and TAB facilities. Located at the rear of the club is a drop-down screen and oversized display to ensure that big sporting moments can be enjoyed from almost anywhere in the club.
It would be more than fair to say we have exceeded the former club’s members and community’s expectations of our investment into this facility.
– Glenn Cushion, Ingleburn RSL CEO
“What we’ve tried to achieve is that it doesn’t matter where you sit in this club, you can view all the action on the big screen,” said Cushion.
An upgraded al fresco area offers additional seating, an outdoor entertainment zone to accommodate live music, a big-screen TV and family-friendly events with a kids’ play area.
The club’s two full-size bowling greens have been maintained, now complemented with the addition of a new external structure that houses the bowlers’ office, a kitchen, and a separate bar. Cushion said this dedicated space means bowlers can access the greens and essential amenities even when the main club is closed.
The enhancements go beyond design. With increased food and beverage output and the need for better climate control, the club had to install a new substation to manage the additional power demands.
The kitchen, previously a modest five-metre by four-metre space with second-hand equipment, has been upgraded to cater not only for regular bistro patrons but functions of up to 250 people.
How do you make your club relevant to a broader audience? People use the word ‘attract’, but we think the word ‘relevance’ is more important.
– Glenn Cushion, Ingleburn RSL CEO
The new menu features a mix of Asian a la carte and traditional club fare designed to reflect the tastes of a broad community. That’s important, Cushion said, because attracting a broad demographic isn’t just about marketing, it’s about being genuinely relevant.
“How do you make your club relevant to a broader audience? People use the word ‘attract’, but we think the word ‘relevance’ is more important,” he said.
“We are trying to attract customers to our venue, but the emotional response and behaviour we aspire to is relevance. Because it might be relevant to me, and not relevant to another person.”
That thinking ties directly into the club’s stated purpose: to connect with and support the community.
“If we were to rely on the bowlers and the bowling membership alone, it’s unlikely the club would have committed what we have committed and executed what we have,” Cushion said.
“At the end of the day, it’s not our money – it’s the members’ money, it’s the community’s money. Our Board had to be really strategic in determining the best direction and use for those funds, thus a broadening of the offer, attraction, and relevance has been our goal.”
Beyond individual patrons, the club also hopes to serve the needs of its unique geographic position. Flanked by an industrial precinct and fast-growing residential areas, it’s designed to appeal to everyone from local workers grabbing a drink after hours to families looking for a weekend venue.
Now, with the doors reopened and the lights switched back on, Ingleburn Bowling Club is once again ready to serve as a place to meet, connect and celebrate.
“It’s been a joyful learning curve,” Cushion said. “And a tremendous opportunity for our club, for the team, and the community.”
