By Sonia Isaacs
A MAJOR milestone in the long-awaited redevelopment of the Maleny Golf Club took shape last week, as seven large modular sections of its new $1.7 million clubhouse were lifted into place by crane.
Across Monday and Tuesday, April 27–28, the modules were hoisted onto pre-prepared footings overlooking the 18th green at the Maleny Community Precinct, marking a significant step forward for the community facility more than 26 years after its establishment.
The installation, led by Sunshine Coast builder Saltair Modular, used a crane with a 150-tonne lift capacity to manoeuvre the prefabricated sections into position, creating a dramatic spectacle for club members and onlookers as each piece of the new clubhouse swung into place with skilled precision.
Maleny Golf Club Manager of Course and Infrastructure Mick McCombe said the project had been many years in the making, with the clubhouse design and conceptual planning stretching back about five years before gaining real momentum last year.
Originally budgeted at around $1 million, the project has grown to approximately $1.7 million, supported by a mix of bank finance, member loans and about $50,000 in community donations, including several substantial individual contributions.
Mr McCombe said the new modular clubhouse had been designed around ergonomics and flexibility, with a combined bar and pro shop that can be operated by a single staff member during quieter periods and expanded to accommodate up to three staff when the course is busy.
A dedicated community space will seat around 60 people, with total capacity, including the expansive deck, reaching up to 110 to 120 patrons.
The deck, measuring nearly five metres by 40 metres, will offer sweeping views of all but one of the course’s holes and is expected to become a prime gathering spot for post-round socialising.
Treasurer David Killeen said the new facility would not only better reflect the premium standard of the course but also secure the club’s future for the next 20 to 30 years, allowing future profits to be reinvested into course improvements once the clubhouse is paid off.
With a soft opening expected within five to six weeks and an official launch planned for July or August, Mr McCombe said the clubhouse was the “last piece of the puzzle.”