FEATURE: CLUB PARKVIEW

Club Parkview rises anew from devastating floods

The opening of Club Parkview, on the site of flood-damaged Goodna Services Club in Brisbane’s western corridor, has surprised all with bumper attendances, a boost in younger members and a recordbreaking number of meals from the kitchen.

GOODNA SERVICES MK III, now known as Club Parkview, has been warmly greeted by both existing and new members and visitors, plus the extra staff now needed to serve an influx of patrons. In the first four weeks of opening, trade was up 70 per cent on their best-ever figures.

“We are breaking records every week, so it’s good news for us,” says Club Parkview General Manager Adam Wiencke. “You know when a good renovation has landed when people are sitting in every corner of the club. They are everywhere.”

While the new build has been welcomed with open arms, the devastating February 2022 flood disaster offered mixed blessings in that insurance only covered about a quarter of the replacement value of all the big-ticket items lost.

That included several hundred EGMs, kitchen equipment, most electricals, plus carpet, fixtures and fittings that went under as the water rose to 1.7 metres on the second level of the club. But that payout was enough to set up the club in a temporary space in an area unaffected by the flood damage.

It however did force the club to borrow $5 million in government loans to fast-track an amended 2021 masterplan which was already on the drawing board. The sun shone on the club recently when it was told an insurance payout from the even more devastating floods of 2011, which inundated the premises up to the roof of the third level, is now on its way.

In executing the revised 2021 masterplan, the Goodna board visited Sydney venues Cabra-Vale Diggers, Bankstown Sports and Dee Why RSL, with Altis Architects, to look for some fresh ideas, Wiencke told Club Management.

“They were unbelievable to deal with,” he says. “They were extremely professional and knew exactly what sort of thing we wanted and they brought a different element to it which brought a different high end to (the result) and we were very happy with that.”

In another stroke of good luck, builder Unita had a job postponed and was able to jump straight in and complete the new Club Parkview in just seven months.

The reinvigorated space is now home to the share-plate, tapas-style Parkview Kitchen, build-your-own pizzas and burgers, plus Parkview Bistro and Jacaranda Cafe. Such is the popularity, the club is now installing more kitchen equipment and upgraded gas flow to fulfull new service requirements.

While the club now serves up to 400 meals a night, up from 50-60, Wiencke said the club is also focused on sourcing from local suppliers. This includes Parkview Tap House which offers more than 60 beers, including the locally-crafted Parkview Pale Ale, alongside mixed drinks.

“We’re proud to be featuring the full Imbibis Gin Craft range from the distillery in Bundamba in our premium cocktails,” he said.

Add to that a modern gaming lounge, openplan events spaces and kids’ play area and there is something for everyone, from three-year-olds to 90-year-olds, he says. The average membership age, pre-flood, was 68.

“It’s probably closer to 40 now. Our target market is now 18-50 which we had never chased before but which we are now getting,” Wiencke says.

The club has now submitted plans to council for a two-storey carpark across the road, potentially linked to the club by a footbridge, hopefully followed by a deck area on the existing carpark.