With construction of the $6.5 million Medowie Sport and Community club complete, the facility owner Port Stephens Council has commenced talks with at least three potential operators to begin trading early 2020.
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The council has also opened online submissions for interested parties seeking to apply for the club's liquor licence. To have your say, head to the council's website. Submissions close on December 18.
Deputy mayor and fierce supporter of the club since its inception, Chris Doohan, said he was impressed with the calibre of tenders who have expressed an interest to operate the facility.
"They are three highly reputable operators and it is hoped that an announcement can be made soon," he said.
Cr Doohan said that the external construction phase had been completed well before time and on budget. He was hoping for a February opening date.
"This facility has been a longtime coming for the Medowie community. Medowie has been patient, allowing the rebuilds at both Fingal Bay and Birubi surf clubs," he said.
Club president Craig Baumann said he was equally impressed with the construction time and the external finish.
"All the external building works have been completed plus the bowls green, the children's playground and the carpark. We are only awaiting some internal fixtures to be undertaken. The facility will be a great community asset and bring in huge economic benefits to the Medowie township," he said.
The club facilities include a family friendly restaurant, fully functional kitchen, plus multimedia and meeting rooms for a host of community, seniors, social and sporting groups.
It will also be used as an emergency and evacuation centre.
Cr Doohan said that plans were also in place to commission a new cenotaph on a grassed area adjacent to the club building.
"The war memorial will be moved from Lions Park and be complimented with landscaping," he said. "This work, estimated at $25,000-$30,000, is currently unfunded but we will be seeking funding opportunities to make this happen in 2020."
The long-awaited community facility, first flagged for the area by the late former councillor Ken Muir, is co-located within Ferodale Park.
The building cost the ratepayers $3.7 million, with another $3 million being spent on ancillary external works including carparking, playground and bowling green.
A council spokesperson said that plans were also afoot to upgrade the access from Ferodale Road to the new facility.
"Council has also made the decision to hold the necessary licensing of the facilities rather than the operator. This means that the licence will remain with the facility should operators change over time."
