Lane Cove Golf Club: Major sports centre upgrade announced
A 59-year-old golf club on Sydney’s north shore has revealed plans for a multimillion-dollar upgrade including a new driving range, indoor sports courts, restaurant and tennis courts.
North Shore
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A new golf range, indoor sports courts, restaurant and tennis courts are set to transform the Lane Cove Country Club in a move to provide space for other sporting clubs on the lower north shore.
Lane Cove Council has released a multimillion-dollar plan to expand the 59-year-old club on River Rd to address a growing shortage of sporting facilities and space for community groups across the region.
Plans released this week show the upgrade would include a new nine hole golf course, driving range, mini golf course, tennis courts, a gym, professional golf shop and nine indoor and outdoor multipurpose sport courts.
There would also be a restaurant overlooking the greens, a public stage and a 300-space underground car park.
The new driving range is projected to boost visitor numbers to 53,000 visits per year – more than double existing visitation – while the sport courts could attract a further 91,000 people.
Plans state the project would partly address the “high operational cost and poor quality” of current facilities, currently costing the council $205,000 per year.
The site is co-leased by the Lane Cove Country Club, which had 518 members in 2017/18, and Tennis World for uses including development programs.
“(The) current lease requires the club to maintain and provide capital upgrades to facilities but this is becoming increasingly difficult as the facility ages, costs escalate and energy costs rise,” the council said.
A community forum attended by local sporting groups had a majority of clubs backing the project due to a “lack of existing playing space” in the region.
Feedback from BlueFit Health Club stated golf participation was “declining”, partly due residents unable to find time to complete a round of golf.
Other sporting groups also noted cases of having to turn “children away” due to shortfalls in existing facilities as well as “growing conflict” between clubs and groups including dog walkers at local parks.
The Lane Cove Country Club, in its latest annual report, said the upgrade would “improve some of the traditional arrangements to achieve a more suitable structure”.
“The redevelopment will see a whole new ‘landmark’ facility for our members and others,” the club said.
Studies show the project would cost at least $20 million – partly funded from the sale of the former Lane Cove Bowling Club.
The 19,000 sqm upgrade could also incorporate a childcare centre, skate park, climbing wall and wellness facilities, pending the outcome of community feedback.
The council said it would aim to have “minimum disruption” to the existing club during construction.
Public feedback on the plan, developed by Greg Norman Golf Design, is due to open this year.