Forestville RSL Club makes $77m bid for new clubhouse and 55 seniors living units

Scores of apartments for retirees could replace the bowling greens at a popular northern beaches RSL club as part of a proposed $77m redevelopment. See the images.

An artist's impression of a clubhouse (top left and seniors’ apartment blocks proposed as part of the $77m application for the redevelopment of Forestville RSL Club. Picture: Quattro Architecture

A popular northern beaches RSL club wants to bulldoze and rebuild its clubhouse as well as construct dozens of seniors’ living apartments as part of a $77m redevelopment bid.

Forestville RSL Club is proposing to build 55 “independent living units” for retirees on its property in Melwood Ave.

Sixteen of the apartments would be housed on two floors above the new single-level clubhouse.

And, if the two-stage development application lodged with Northern Beaches Council on October 24 is approved, the other two- and three-bedroom units would be spread across three new neighbouring apartment blocks.

Several units, in what the club has described as a “boutique retirement community”, would be provided for people with a disability.

An artist's impression of apartments proposed as part of a new Forestville RSL Club. Picture: Quattro Architecture

Club members have been told the project – “Heart of Forestville” – was propsed to find other revenue streams “away from a dependence on gaming”.

The project would make use of space now taken up by two bowls greens, on the southern side of the site. The club decided to end lawn bowls in October last year.

An aerial view of the club showing its two lawn bowls greens.

The club at Melwood Ave would become a one-storey facility, with two floors of apartments above. Picture: Manly Daily

Plans attached to the development application show the club would occupy the ground floor of a three-storey building.

It will have space for “indoor” and “alfresco” gaming as well as two restaurants – one Asian – a cafe, bistro, sports bar, outdoor eating areas, function facilities, lounge areas and a children’s playground.

An artist's impression of the new clubhouse building. Picture: Quattro Architecture

Apartments would feature two and three bedrooms. Picture: Quattro Architecture

The apartments would have a separate entrance lobby to the club.

In a statement to members in the club’s latest annual report, chief executive Ian Thomson said the proposed redevelopment “was exciting, challenging and time-consuming but predominantly satisfying, as we plot a new financial, operational and sustainable future for the club”.

Forestville RSL Club chief executive Ian Thomson. Picture: Adam Yip

“We have assembled a very experienced team of consultants to ensure members achieve the best possible outcome from the redevelopment,” Mr Thomson wrote.

“The club-appointed subcommittee and consultants are working tirelessly with the design of the club and the independent living units to ensure we deliver a very high quality result that will serve the community for many years to come.”

Mr Thomson pointed out that many other NSW clubs were undertaking “similar business propositions as clubs seek to diversify their revenue streams away from a dependence on gaming”.

In a community update the club wanted to assure members and locals that Anzac Day and Remembrance Day commemorative services would “remain a top priority of the Forestville RSL Club”.

Club management was contacted for comment.