Small town’s big pub dream is coming to life

More than a place to buy beer, Sadleir’s Waterhole – as it will be named – is set to become the heart of the small but close knit Morven community.

Sadleirs's Waterhole, Morven, is nearing completion. A group of locals rallied together to build the new pub for their community, which has been without one since April 2016.

THE future Sadleir’s Waterhole is well and truly on its way to a grand opening, as construction forges ahead.

With the structure now up, and the fit-out beginning, co-owners of the new pub are brimming with excitement at the prospect of the project’s completion later in the year.

Louise Winten of the Morven Hotel Group told the Western Times they had hit an important milestone for the build.

“It is at the lock-up stage, and the electricians are working there at the moment before the plumber and builders come back in for the final phase out,” she said.

“My husband and I went in for the first time yesterday to have a look through, and it has been very exciting. Hopefully once we are able to open through COVID-19 restrictions, everything will be ready to go.”

Despite coronavirus making things difficult for the hospitality business, Ms Winten has found a bright side to the social restrictions, at least for their hotel.

Even though an official opening date is up in the air, the pub team are deploying as many essential workers as they can to finish every job which needs doing on the hotel site.

Mrs Winten said it has been a blessing in disguise, and could become a great opportunity for Sadleirs Waterhole.

“(COVID-19) has probably helped us in a little way, because construction was held up a little during all of that beautiful rain we had – not that we were complaining,” she said.

“Then when all of this came around, we thought at least we can get everything up and running, and be properly organised for when we can actually open.

“As soon as the building is finished, we are going to be able to offer takeaway meals and drinks, so even if we don’t have our big official opening, we will get going as soon as the hotel is ticked off.”

Considering the pandemic and social distancing restrictions, no opening date has been set in stone.

But Mrs Winten said they hope to open for locals and visitors as soon as they’re allowed to.

“I’ve had so much contact from travellers, telling us they can’t wait to get back on the road and come to Morven,” she said.

“But more than that, we have missed having a community meeting place – because that’s what sparked all this.

“Going in to this venture was all about missing that social gathering spot, and it’s not just about buying alcohol, it is about getting people together and just having a chat.”

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