FEATURE: RENOVATION

Arana patrons get their just desserts

Learning to bite off a major renovation in manageable chunks next time around came from previous experience. By Grant Jones

A DECADE AGO Arana Leagues bit off more than it could chew when the Brisbane club decided to renovate the whole bottom level of the venue all at once. Lesson learned. This time around a refresh of the club is taking place in phases with the first stage just complete and design tweaks currently being made to Stage 2 – which will enclose an outdoor space.

“It was just time for a refresh for the cafe and this time around we just decided to bite it off in manageable chunks,” says amiable CEO and 15-year club veteran Glynn Wallis.

The project duration, with a design by BSPN Architecture and build undertaken by Ashley Cooper Construction, took 16 weeks and cost $2.4 million.

It looks fabulous, I can’t believe how good a job they did of it. The cafe with its bright, spacious interior also features a fully redesigned menu which includes the dessert and gelato bar. Mainstream menu items include breakfast dishes and toasted sandwiches alongside bao buns, nachos, plus traditional items such as pizza and burgers.

-Glynn Wallis, Arana Leagues CEO

When the doors reopened there was a larger refreshed café, gelato bar and kitchen redevelopment plus expanded and refurbishment gaming room consisting of new layout, new gaming bases, screens and updated wall and floor finishes. Space between EGMs has also been well received in the refurbed gaming room.

Bao buns. hoisin smoked duck breast, pickled ginger, bean sprouts, shallot & coriander salad with chili sambal mayo.

“It looks fabulous, I can’t believe how good a job they did of it,” Wallis says.

The cafe with its bright, spacious interior also features a fully redesigned menu which includes the dessert and gelato bar. Mainstream menu items include breakfast dishes and toasted sandwiches alongside bao buns, nachos, plus traditional items such as pizza and burgers.

“We have chefs back in the kitchen now and we have made it a more efficient kitchen with a full menu,” he says.

A full kitchen crew means a brunch selection including crab and salmon croquettes and a sweet potato and lime waffle. Wallis says the new fit-out and food has been a hit with the 20,000-plus members and visitors post-covid.

“We are still refining the menu. We are probably going to put a few more dishes on,” Wallis says. “When we put fish and chips on the menu, out they flew!”

Turmeric & cumin spiced squid. sriracha thousand island dressing with rocket, fennel, ruby grapefruit & sliced lime at the new venue.

Located next to the main playing field, Stage 2 will include an extension of the first floor which will be enclosed with glass walls and a mezzanine level and the proposed separation of the sports bar from the dining area. That will also include a new menu which is yet to be decided.

“Trying to find a menu price that people will pay is certainly a challenge right now,” Wallis says.

Further planned works include a proposed car park and façade facelift. That facelift will also include improved access to the clubhouse for pedestrians via a new entrance plaza and drop-off facility.

It’s a long way from the first clubhouse of West Arana Hills Junior Rugby Leagues Club which opened in an old cow paddock in 1972. That’s half a century ago.