Grafton District Services Club CEO Nathan Whiteside leaves as club revamps
A popular Grafton club has unveiled plans for its new look as its leader exits to take on a new challenge. See the designs.
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Grafton District Services Club CEO Nathan Whiteside says he is looking forward to the challenge of taking up a new role as CEO of the Orange Ex-Servicemen’s Club.
He said he didn’t think there could be two years in the club industry like his past two in charge of the Grafton club, which has 10,000 members and more than 70 staff.
“You name it we’ve done it – floods, fires, shutdowns, pandemic – it has been a challenge,” he said.
“It’s been a good one and we’ve used the shutdown to our advantage with the refurbishment we’ve been able to do.”
Mr Whiteside said the renovation was a full internal refurbishment of the club, including installing windows on the Mary Street side to allow natural light in.
Outside, a new entertainment space will be created on the extended deck, as well a revamped barbecue area, pop up kitchen and kids entertainment area.
“The space can do weddings, parties, anything – it will be a really good place to do a variety of things,” he said.
“And the best part of it is, it’s got bi-fold doors, so if it’s too cold or too hot, we can close the doors and make it internal – and turn on the airconditioning.”
Mr Whiteside said the renovation would help to future-proof the club.
“We knew we had to do the change,” he said.
“The club has always traded well, but we thought we needed to change the look and feel and the new space outside will give you that outdoors feel.”
“You will go there, sit and have a beer and a feed and not feel like you’re in a club – and we hope that will help us attract new markets.”
Mr Whiteside hoped the renovation would be completed some time in November, depending on Covid-19 restrictions.
As for his new role, Mr Whiteside said he was looking forward to a new challenge in an area about to boom, especially in regard to food and wine.
The Orange club has more than 20,000 members and also houses a bowling club, an 18-hole golf course and 75-room motel.
“Orange is going gangbusters,” he said.
“There are 45,000 people in town, and it’s only two and a half hours west of Sydney, so when restrictions lift many people will come out for weekends.
“There’s a lot of competition especially in food and wine and the restaurants, but I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”
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