Evan Ryan, Ingrams Australia save Surfers Paradise RSL from closing

A regular at the struggling Gold Coast RSL has put his hand in his pocket to stop it having to close its doors.

Pictured at the Surfers Paradise RSL Club, Club Management and Members of Ryan Global Group in talks over the clubs upcoming Face lift. L-R Ryan Global exec Mr Evan Ryan and Club President Ross Eastgate.

A WEALTHY benefactor and regular at the Surfers Paradise RSL has stepped in at the “eleventh hour” with a multi-million rescue plan to prevent it closing.

Part-time Gold Coaster Evan Ryan, whose giant firm Ryan Global has interests in steel, petroloeum, property, truck stops and cattle, is driving a revamp of the tired venue.

A Ryan Global entity late last year shelled out $2m for the RSL building between Cavill Avenue and Beach Road.

Mr Ryan plans spending that again on gutting the interior and modernising the operation.

Pictured at the Surfers Paradise RSL Club are club president Ross Eastgate, Ryan Global founder Evan Ryan, club manager Jay Stopford, Scott Ryan, Paul Ryan and Ingrams Australia director Grand Doran. Picture: Mike Batterham

Ryan Global partner Ingrams Australia starts work on the first floor today ((TUES)), part of a complete interior and exterior overhaul but the venue will remain open for trade throughout.

Surfers Paradise RSL club manager Jay Stopford said first-floor construction work would see the bar, dining and TAB shift to the second floor whilst gaming and reception would remain in action on the first floor.

Mr Ryan said he had been a regular for 20 years and it was evident the venue “in big trouble”.

Cheers to survival: Surfers RSL club president Ross Eastgate with Ryan Global founder and entrepreneur Evan Ryan who has stepped in to save the club from closing.

His father was an aircraft fitter during World War II and he personally had a keen interest in veteran welfare, particularly Vietnam War soldiers, which prompted his decision to step in.

“My Dad was really upset about treatment of veterans and most of my mates were Vietnam vets. I could financially afford it and thought it was time to do something,” Mr Ryan said.

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“It is certainly not for financial gain. I see RSLs in all the country towns disappearing and I don’t want to see it happening here.”

Mr Ryan’s restructure leaves operation of the RSL club and veteran welfare to its existing board led by longserving president Ross Eastgate.

Surfers RSL club manager Jay Stopford, new in the role last year, said the venue had struggled since a fire in 2014.

Mr Ryan, right, is a regular at the Surfers Paradise RSL club, takes a keen interest in veterans affairs and says: “I could financially afford it and thought it was time to do something”. An entity of his Ryan Global corporation has bought the building and is investing millions in an overhaul.

Mr Stopford said it was facing oblivion until Mr Ryan and Ingrams Australia director Grant Doran stepped in

“We were down to the 11th hour, discussing whether we shut the doors,” Mr Stopford said.

Mr Eastlake said the deal left control of its operation and veteran welfare initiatives in the hands of the RSL board.

“We have sold our asset but retained our identity. There is an expectation it remains a functioning RSL.”

Mr Doran, whose firm does major fitouts with projects including Brisbane’s W hotel, said Ingrams would remove walls, replace carpets and integrate the first floor bar, sports bar, dining and TAB.

Cocktail bars, a coffee station and a mobile cuisine trolley was also planned.

The second floor with huge balconies overlooking both Cavill Avenue and Beach Road would become “one of the best facilities for functions on the Gold Coast”, he said.