THE Mildura Club will press ahead with plans to add an alfresco element to its Deakin Avenue frontage despite concerns it will “destroy the place”.
Mildura Council has approved the works, which include 50 square metres of modern outdoor decking and the removal of two windows to make way for double doors as an entry-exit point to the club’s bar area.
Initial works have already begun and Mildura Club president Chris Riordan said that, once completed, the improvements would add a modern touch to the century-old facility.
“The concept has been around for seven years and at our annual general meeting late last year, members had questioned why we hadn’t got on with developing the outdoor area,” Mr Riordan said.
“The works are quite small in size, but a necessary addition to keep up with the times,” he said.
“While two small windows will need to be removed as part of the development, no other area of the club will be compromised.
“Even the club’s snooker room doors will be used as the alfresco entry-exit point to further help maintain the club’s rich history.”
Mr Riordan said many of the club’s more than 300 members had supported the upgrade.
However, Mildura businessman and club member Don Carrazza said he was “flabbergasted” by the plans, which had prompted him to approach Arts Mildura to propose that the main part of the building come under its management.
Arts Mildura has been without a home since the former ADFA building in Deakin Avenue was sold last September and the group has so far been unable to find a suitable space for its activities.
Mr Carrazza said the Mildura Club contained some of the only historic architecture left in the city and its use by Arts Mildura would ensure it continued to be used for a variety of community events and that its aesthetic integrity remained intact.
He said Arts Mildura had since put the proposal to the Mildura Club board with an alternative of moving the Deakin Avenue plans to the Ninth Street carpark side of the building.
“This could be done without destroying the place, and achieve two additional gains — first, the club building could continue to be a significant landmark seen by community, schoolchildren and tourists alike — almost a museum with public access in certain areas,” he said.
“Second, with the new facilities, the club could prosper, catering to both existing and new members.”
Mr Carrazza said the necessary services were already close to the Ninth Street area, including the bar now in use by existing members, while the existing liquor licence could be converted to a public licence.
“The vision is to make the Mildura Club a historical building,” he said.
“Arts Mildura would have the opportunity as a not-for-profit organisation to approach the state and federal governments for this funding as well as drive community fundraising.
“This way, we can restore the Mildura Club to its former superb presence, proudly announcing its role in our town’s colonial history for our current and future generations.”
Mr Riordan said the club board had carefully considered the proposal and had returned an offer to Arts Mildura for use of a section of the building at below commercial rates.
He said Arts Mildura had yet to respond.
