New owner plans major refurbishment for Sandgate RSL club

A north Brisbane RSL club, which has been closed for 16 months, has a new owner who is planning a major refurbishment and a possible reopening later this year.

Sandgate RSL Memorial Club has a new owner. Picture: Michelle Smith.

THE former RSL Memorial Club at Sandgate has a new owner who is planning a major refurbishment and a possible reopening later this year.

The sale, to Michael Maguire, was confirmed by Sandgate RSL Sub Branch, owner of both the building and the land on which it sits.

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The club, which traded as Club Sandgate, closed almost 16 months ago after being voted into liquidation due to a $1.4 million debt.

The interior of the Sandgate RSL Memorial Club in 2016. Picture: Michelle Smith

Mr Maguire said he would be undertaking a major refurbishment to the exterior and interior of the building “to re-establish the Sandgate RSL as a hub for the surrounding community”.

“The project will create a lot of jobs in the area, both in the construction phase and then of course the full-time jobs once the new club is open for trade,” he said.

“At this stage we would love to see the doors open by November but there is a lot of work to do between now and then to ensure this happens.”

Mr Maguire said there were a number of factors that drew him to the property.

“I have always really liked the suburb of Sandgate and seeing its re-emergence over recent years gives me a lot of confidence to invest in the area.

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“Beyond this, the existing building, while in need of a major refurbishment, has a huge amount of potential.

“While all of these factors were important, what really attracted me to this property was the opportunity to revive a local landmark like the Sandgate RSL.

“The Sandgate sub-branch dates back to 1916 and I would be exceptionally happy to have them central to the relaunched club.

“The work that this sub-branch does in the local community, specifically ensuring the financial welfare of its veterans and their families, is invaluable.

“I am very passionate about their cause and the new club will provide an enormous opportunity for this sub-branch to continue and expand upon the services they provide.”

Mr Maguire said a new name hadn’t been chosen yet “but it’s important to me that it reflects the history of the property and its roots as an RSL”.

Sandgate RSL Sub Branch president Peter McNamara. Picture: Michelle Smith

Sub-branch president Peter McNamara said they were “absolutely excited” about the sale.

“What we’ve done by having a guaranteed sale for the club is it’s going to produce jobs for the community and it’s going to provide the facilities that the community demands. People have been telling us they want the club back.”

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Mr McNamara said the sale also helped secure the future of the sub-branch.

“The funds will be used to support our programs,” he said.

“We’ve got to try and make some sort of income out of this to provide at least 20 years or more of veteran support within the district.”

Sandgate RSL Memorial Club has been closed since January 2018. Picture: Jacqueline Henry.

The memorial club was initially placed into administration in 2015 but, despite new management and a new committee, was unable to trade its way out of debt.

The liquidation and closure on January 9, 2018 meant 42 staff lost their jobs.

It also affected Sandgate Bowls Club, which used facilities leased by Club Sandgate.

The bowls club reopened a couple weeks later and, in March this year, had its lease extended for 10 years.

It currently has a development application before council for a redevelopment proposal which includes a microbrewery.