COVID’s silver lining for Capalaba Sports Club
Successful businesses are often the ones that can turn adversity into opportunity. While the last 12 months have been tough times for everyone in the industry, Capalaba Sports Club made the most of the down-time to complete a total transformation.
With the help of hospitality construction specialist, Rohrig, and designers BSPN Architecture, the club has been able to fast-track a construction program and achieve even more than they expected for their budget.
We were already four weeks into the project when the nationwide lock-down hit.
The club’s board and management were uncertain of what this would mean but they took the long-term view that they still wanted the new venue for their members and the community.
We collaborated closely with the club’s management and the designers to rework the construction program to make the most of the closed venue.
“Because we didn’t have to work around club opening times, we could work more cost-effectively over a shorter period,” John Demnar, Business Development Manager, explained.
“The savings generated went towards creating a new bistro bar, which wasn’t included in the original scope,” he said.
BSPN Architecture designed a light, fresh space that captures the feel of indoor-outdoor living.
“Design elements draw inspiration from classic Queensland architecture, featuring booths and pergolas to offer comfortable seating options and create zoning within the space. The focus of the redesign was the creation of a family-friendly dining environment for patrons and an efficient operational experience for the club,” Luis Neiu from BSPN said.
Works included a new bar, cafe and restaurant, gaming extension and two new passenger lifts linking the under-croft carpark with the building.
The club’s General Manager, Nigel de Ryck, said, “Like everyone else, we have been shaken by COVID but the project team and our staff went out of their way to help us benefit from the situation. We are now in the best possible position to attract people back”.