A $30 million investment in the growing Sippy Downs community aims to redefine the community club concept in the hospitality industry.
Boldbridge Group Ltd, which manages and operates the hugely popular Nambour RSL Club, is the name behind The Bower Tree community club in Courage Street, opposite the Sunshine Coast Innovation Centre, in the heart of the suburb.
CEO Suzanne Long said the group wanted to develop a fresh new brand, reflective of the needs of the burgeoning modern community.
“By doing this, we will surprise and delight our customers, redefining the traditional perception of a community club,” she said.
“It is important for our group to strengthen the fabric of our community and, in doing so, we want to create experiences.
“Everyone has their reasons why they visit a certain venue, but with The Bower Tree, our range of destinations and services will deliver a vibrant spirit of friendship, belonging and enjoyment beyond expectation.
“We will provide a welcoming social connection experience to eat, drink and play with contemporary energy.
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“Sippy Downs is growing, and the community deserves a club that offers employment, first employment for young people, social connections and a place to just chill and relax with friends, family or alone.
“You will be surprised when you walk through the doors – it’s not your normal club.”
The venue’s features include:
- unique curved shapes that cascade along the outside of the club, providing a covered walkway that allows guests to move from one destination to another in all weather conditions;
- a defined and distinct colour scheme in each area that makes guests feel like they are travelling through different landscapes or destinations;
- an external/internal cafe that allows early morning customers to buy breakfast before work without the club being open;
- The Vine Wine Bar, which will open up at the front of the precinct onto Sippy Downs Drive. It will operate under a separate licence, with different opening hours to The Bower Tree;
- a restaurant within The Bower Tree itself that will be open for lunch and dinner;
- a pizzeria;
- kids’ room;
- youth room;
- sports bar;
- lounge bar;
- function rooms;
- conference rooms;
- gaming lounge facilities; and
- undercover parking as well as street-access parking.
Ms Long said the doors were expected to open to the public “sometime after March 23”.
“As you can appreciate, this opening is dependent on ensuring the club passes all the inspections that we have to undertake being a licensed venue, that all the destinations within the club are ready for our customers and that all our staff training is complete,” she said.
“Once we have dotted all our Is, crossed our Ts, the doors will be opened for us all to enjoy.
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“I can assure you we will not open until we know that we can offer the best service to all our members and guests.
“We will have a grand opening celebration with our invited guests and dignitaries in the coming months.”
Ms Long said inquiries in relation to membership already pointed to a diverse customer base, which the new hospitality precinct had been designed around.
“We have created an entertainment hub that will cater for all – from the university students to millennials to families and retirees – it will be a haven for everyone to enjoy,” she said.
In a bonus for Sunshine Coast residents and visitors, The Bower Tree Community Club and Nambour RSL Club will operate as one organisation, so a membership to the Boldbridge Group Ltd will allow access into both.
“Members will receive reduced prices upon presentation of their member’s card and be part of promotional activities that we introduce,” Ms Long said.
“Visitors will want to become members, as I know they will return because of the experience they encounter.
“We will have some exclusive opening offers for our members that we cannot wait to share.
“A lot of our Bower Tree management team are on board and working very hard in the background.
“Russell Reeves joins the team as venue manager and Leah Spence makes the move from Nambour RSL Club to assist Russell as operations manager.
“Talented, passionate and a long-term, well-known chef from the Sunshine Coast, Peter Brown, will be our executive chef in Arrows Restaurant and Events.
“Matthew Smyth re-joins our team as executive chef of Cafe Rubia.
“These talented and skilled people will be ably supported by our newly appointed restaurant supervisor Carol, people and culture talent Tarrah, sous chef James, duty manager Diane, supervisor Jasmine and HR manager Courtney.
“In turn, all those people will be supported by our wonderful executive leadership team: Macartan, Patricia, Katie and Laurie. These people have been with our organisation for some time and certainly understand what is needed to make a hospitality venue successful and enjoyable for our guests.”
Ms Long said the six years from dream to reality had “definitely been a very long journey, with many obstacles along the way, including the COVID shutdowns, continual weather events and lack of trade”.
“Seeing the structure of the club taking shape, the walls being painted and the flooring being laid, the excitement is mounting as the days edge closer and closer to opening,” she said.
“Not only is it a feeling of sheer relief but it is more of a proud moment knowing that through all the hard work of so many people, we have created this incredible hub of enjoyment for the community.”
The determination to present something fresh, new and welcoming shares some synergy with The Bower Tree name that came about as a result of a team branding session on what a hospitality venue should be like.
“Words such as friendly, home, community, bold, inspiring, unexpected, talked about, impressive, welcoming, gathering point were thrown about,” Ms Long said.
“Once all the ideas were compiled the word Bower was born: ‘Bower’ being a pleasant shady place or shelter under trees in a garden or wood; a place to gather under a canopy; a home built by a bowerbird to attract a mate. Then ‘Tree’ was added, being the canopy.
“The Bower Tree: a place to gather together, play and enjoy.”
To become a member, join the team or receive a sneak preview head to the website and click on the links.
