Proposed Esplanade RSL clubhouse would include cafe, for family-friendly focus
THE RSL’s plan to build a new clubhouse in a Darwin Esplanade carpark would include a family-friendly ground floor cafe.
Northern Territory
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THE RSL’s plan to build a new clubhouse in a Darwin Esplanade carpark would include a family-friendly ground floor cafe.
Darwin RSL president Steve Gloster said the RSL had engaged with a designer to begin making plans for their new home, which they hope to build in the carpark next to the Darwin Cenotaph.
“The biggest problem is where we are is not family-friendly,” he said.
“There’s a whole bottom floor cafe (we’re planning) that families can use.”
Mr Gloster said as the RSL developed as an entity it had outgrown its current location and he feared it would be run into the ground if they rebuilt the clubhouse which burnt down in 2018.
“The RSL has got to be more family-friendly, otherwise if you rebuild the club where we are, we’ll be broke in six months,” Mr Gloster said.
“It’s not going to suit veterans, it’s not going to suit us and it’s not going to make money.
“It’s harder for the RSL to make money and it’s not a good place to be. It was when it was built but it’s not anymore.”
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It comes as a petition organised by the Deckchair Cinema has surpassed 7000 signatures against the development.
Darwin Film Society president Jeff Coulter said while they didn’t oppose the RSL, as a society they wanted to preserve the green space on the Esplanade.
He was happy with the support garnered from the petition.
“The petition is growing every day and shows no signs of slowing down any time soon,” he said.
“It is clear that the public want the Deckchair Cinema to be protected and the Esplanade parklands to be kept as open green space for all of the people in Darwin to enjoy.”
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The RSL is yet to formally submit development plans to any organisation, however the Darwin Film Society plan to respond to the plans with their petition.
Originally published as Proposed Esplanade RSL clubhouse would include cafe, for family-friendly focus