Darwin RSL prepared to ditch pokies in ‘family friendly’ new Esplanade clubhouse

THE Darwin RSL is prepared to ditch pokie machines in its proposed new Esplanade clubhouse in an attempt to become a more ‘family friendly’ venue

The Darwin RSL is prepared to ditch pokie machines in its proposed Esplanade clubhouse in an attempt to become a more ‘family friendly’ venue.

• ‘Signature’ venue to overlook Harbour
• Cafe plan lends family appeal to proposed Esplanade RSL clubhouse
• 10,000-strong petition to save Deckchair Cinema hits Parliament

THE Darwin RSL is prepared to ditch pokie machines in its proposed Esplanade clubhouse in an attempt to become a more “family friendly” venue.

On Sunday, the Sunday Territorian revealed the first concept plans for its Esplanade proposal, which includes a ground-floor cafe, second storey bar and virtual reality experience.

Darwin RSL Sub Branch president Stephen Gloster said the design would reinvent the venue to become a “nation-leading family-focused RSL club”, and added the club wouldn’t hesitate to remove pokie machines from the venue to achieve that goal.

“We’ve got to change our image,” he said.

MORE TOP NT NEWS

Police fine 13 people for breaching quarantine over the weekend

Darwin Defence bases’ China steel fight goes to the PM

Court orders NT cattle family be paid $2.9m for 2011 export ban fiasco

“That’s why we need to get some place that’s got an outdoor area, and it can be family friendly. Pokie machines, we weren’t making any money out of the pokie machines. We’re quite happy to put in a club without them.”

Mr Gloster said removing the pokies wasn’t a huge loss, with the club focused on capitalising on its hospitality services with the new cafe and bar.

He estimated that about one third of revenue came from pokies and the majority of income was through its bar and food at the RSL’s Cavenagh St clubhouse, which was gutted by fire.

Mr Gloster said it was crucial for the RSL to engage younger Territorians.

“That’s where all the future members are isn’t it?” he said.

“Darwin is a very young area so it’s very important, that’s why we want to go there (the Esplanade).

“If we go back to where we were, we’re just going back to the way we were.”

Mr Gloster told the NT News if the RSL couldn’t build on the Esplanade, it might not build at all.

This could also put the RSL’s annual Dawn Service at risk, which Mr Gloster told the NT News could be downsized to become viable.

LIMITED TIME: New NT News subsctription offer: $1 a week for first 12 weeks

A City of Darwin spokeswoman said the RSL could apply for financial support.

“As a not for profit organisation, the RSL is able to apply for grants through City of Darwin community grants, which are available twice per year,” she said.

The RSL fronts $50,000 per year for the event, with $15,000 chipped in by the NT Government the past two years. City of Darwin also supports the RSL in the management of the event.

Follow @raphsaroukos