Southport Yacht Club renovations & refurbishments
by Virginia Riddle-Cross 22 Oct 2019 21:12 PDT
Southport Yacht Club, home of the Bartercard Sail Paradise, Gold Coast's largest regatta and finish line to Australia's 2nd largest yacht race - Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race, has recently undergone a huge redevelopment of their Eastern Lawn. The once underutilised area, which offers one of the most spectacular North facing water views on the Gold Coast has undertaken a dramatic change, by extending their main Clubhouse decking and cantilever roof line by more than 25 metres, increasing their restaurant floor space by 30% and bringing the current restaurant seating plan from 300, up to 400 seats.
The Club's Board realised it's need to expand 2 years ago, with the growing number of members, functions and in-house events - stretching their current facilities.
The upgraded area replaced its tired pop-up bar, with a permanent modern POD bar. The new bar provides quick and efficient services by offering not just beer, but also popular cocktails on tap. Their once labour-intensive grassed area has taken on an eco-friendlier feel with the Club opting for artificial grass. The expansion of the cedar wood deck also incorporates a built-in outdoor stage which allows the Club's weekly live acoustic entertainment to now have a permanent place to call home, thus allowing the Waterfront Restaurant staff and patrons the ability to dine without having to talk over the noise of the Band. Most importantly the expansion of the deck and roofline ensures that members and their guests at the Club can utilise the area all year round.
On top of the structural change, the Club's Head Chef, Chris Tymkin, took advantage of the modern outdoor entertainment area and implemented a new tapas inspired menu. Enticing guests that prefer a share style menu (eat less but taste more) in a more relaxed area of the Club - and a perfect accompaniment to a chilled glass of wine overlooking the scenic 300-berth marina.
The Club's new furniture has also just arrived completing the Club's new nautical look. Crisp whites, navy blues and burnt oranges will be extended through the entire clubhouse. New glass topped tables, white wicker style chairs, high bars and a more segregated café area for those wishing to soak in the views over a coffee and cake. Comfortable lounges have been placed on the grassed area, allowing members and guests to quite literally sit back, relax and watch the Gold Coast skies transform as the sun dip into the hinterland; orange and red hues... and some nights a vibrant purple haze can be witnessed. The new furniture is almost all in place - a few finishing touches over the coming days.
And the name... with all these changes also comes a new name for the refurbished Eastern Lawn. The new area is now known as the '4Shore Bar' on the Quarter Deck.
The new name is based on the '4' founders of the Club (Firth, Carey, Robinson, Dalton) who used '4' vessels to take wounded servicemen on day trips around the Broadwater. From here is where the idea of a Yacht Club came about. On the 26th of April ('4th' month) in 1946, Southport Yacht Club was formed. So the number 4 was something taken seriously into account. A quarter deck is the part of a ship's upper deck near the stern, traditionally reserved for officers... or in this case Members and guests.
Nothing describes the Gold Coast more than the love we have of the outdoors. Warm sultry nights, brilliant sunsets and fresh sea air. Located in the midpoint of the Gold Coast, Southport Yacht Club is only 2 minutes from CBD, 5 minutes from Surfers Paradise and stone's throw away from the theme parks. No rooftop required here as the stunning views are all at eye level; overlooking a sparkling waters of the Gold Coast, SYC is now an even more perfect place to unwind.