Cabarita bowls reno

By Jo Kennett

THE CABARITA Beach Sports Club is undergoing a major renovation, with work inside and out expected to be completed in time for a summer of fun, and a big 60th birthday bash, the Caba Carnival, will be held this weekend.

The roof has been completely replaced, new solar panels have been installed and a major internal renovation is expected to be underway soon.

General Manager Steve Penfold said the club had been trying to get the roof replaced for years “but there were no funds to do it.”

“We do family events, especially around Christmas and Easter, and now we have raised enough funds through those sorts of things, just trying to get people in to enjoy the club, to do that repair work,” Steve said.

“The roof is a half million dollar project between the roof, the solar and the work we had to choose to change the pitch so the water flows off better.

“We have built a new plant deck for aircon and refrigeration motors to all go into one place so it’s not all over the roof.

“That’s given us a clear run to go from a 66 kilowatt system to 99 kilowatt — our power bills were about $10,000 a month and when the prices changed they went to about $15,000 to $25,000

“The aluminium roof gets recycled and all the solar comes off with Hardy Electrical and Solar. They test all the panels and then anything in good working order will be sent to Samoa or neighbouring islands to be used in villages or schools.

“That connection (to the Pacific islands) is through Hardy which is great obviously.

“If it’s usable, why not use it.”

Steve says it fits in with the sustainability they are trying to implement.

“I am all about sustainability here,” he said.

“We have done a deal with NRMA and the NSW Government to put in a four-car park charging station here and it should be in by Christmas.

“It’s an EV fast charging site, co-funded with the NSW Government under their Drive Electric NSW EV Fast Charging Grants, with the majority funding from the NRMA.

“It will do a full charge in 20 to 40 minutes, so hopefully people will come in for a meal and a drink while they charge the car and enjoy the club.”

Once the roof work and solar is finished, the internal renovation will begin.

“The whole downstairs is getting renovated,” Steve said.

“It will be lighter, brighter, with better access, inside/outside dining, and a new sports bar tab area.

“It’s more about modernising the club. The ‘70s-style carpet and the electric blue walls will go. We will have new furniture and new flooring.”

Recently, a shipping container was craned into the beer garden for food and drinks.

“We craned a shipping container and then craned a smaller crane into the garden to move the container into place,” Steve said.

“It will be a bar and for food. We will be doing outdoor music like DJs and local acoustic artists with island style and different street food on Saturdays and Sundays with local suppliers and barefoot bowls.”

Steve said Dave the greenkeeper at the bowlo started the worm farm 15 years ago where they recycle food scraps and coffee grounds. They also have a herb garden and a citrus orchard and use fresh lemon, lime and mint in their drinks.

‘I’m just trying to promote sustainability and look after the place as best I can,” he said.

“The roof is nearly finished and then we will start on the internal renovation and hopefully have that finished ready for summer.

“Sunday, July 9, is our 60th birthday celebration for the community so we have the Caba Carnival from noon to 4pm which will be great fun for the whole family.”