NRL 2023: Cronulla Sharks leagues club remains untouched despite four-year closure for development

Sharks Leagues closed its doors in December, 2019 and was then projected to re-open in February last year. Now there is no set timetable, MICHAEL CARAYANNIS reveals why.

There is no date set for the reopening of Cronulla’s leagues club, which remains untouched despite a small city being built around it. Picture: Richard Dobson

The developer at the centre of the multimillion-dollar refurbishment of the Sharks’ leagues club says they are not responsible for its indefinite shutdown.

Developer Novm is moving ahead with the opening of the surrounding areas of the billion dollar Woolooware Bay Town Centre development.

However, there is no date set now for the reopening of Cronulla’s leagues club which surrounds its home ground and continues to be a financial drain on the NRL club.

The leagues club is due to be redeveloped, not rebuilt, but remains untouched despite a mini-city being built around it.

Novm chief executive and executive director Adrian Liaw remained hopeful the club could re-open at some point next year.

“Although we are not responsible for the refurbishment of the club, we have been working closely with the club to ensure the club can re-open next year,” Liaw said.

There is no date set for the reopening of Cronulla’s leagues club, which remains untouched despite a small city being built around it. Picture: Richard Dobson

“This includes allowing certain works to commence such as replacement of the club’s roof whilst our works are being carried out.

“Like every other construction project in the country, both we and the club have had to navigate many unforeseen challenges such as the impacts of weather, covid, inflation and interest rates on supply chain and costs.”

The club closed its doors in December, 2019 and was then projected to re-open in February last year.

Even as early as this year there were hopes the club would re-open in 2023, but now there is no set timetable.

Since the club shut down, building costs have blown out by about $30 million while the Sharks continue to bleed financially.

Novm chief executive Adrian Liaw, the developer at the centre of development, insists they are not to blame for the indefinite shutdown. Picture: RZ Media

They are in for at least 12 months of more pain with their home ground to again be a construction site next season.

Crowds and corporate facilities are having major impacts on Cronulla’s bottom line.

Despite the club falling massively behind, the rest of the billion dollar Woolooware Bay Town Centre development is thriving.

The shopping centre will open on November 22 while the 71-key Quest hotel, which the NRL purchased for $21.85 million earlier this year, is tracking well.

“We can report that the project’s shopping centre Bay Central Woolooware is set to open in late November, with the residential apartments and the Quest Hotel completing before the end of the year,” Liaw said.

Cronulla are expected to hold a members information night next month where they hope to have more clarity on the delays.

Originally published as NRL 2023: Cronulla Sharks leagues club remains untouched despite four-year closure for development