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The Upper Clutha Rugby Club has announced plans to proceed with a million-dollar makeover of its 32-year-old clubrooms at the Wanaka Showgrounds.
The club has been investigating redevelopment options for its clubrooms for the past 12 months.
Its committee had considered a small-scale expansion, which involved adding on more changing rooms at a cost of about $200,000.
However, after three community consultation meetings, a decision was made to pursue a proposal to completely overhaul the existing premises and add another floor, almost doubling the current size of 320sq m.
"There's no point doing something and then finding out six years later it's not big enough," club president Nick Thompson said.
"The Upper Clutha Rugby Club is one of the largest country clubs in the South Island.
"We have more than 200 junior members and more than 130 senior members. This development is important not only to ensure a solid future for our club's players, but it could become an accessible facility that caters to many in the community."
The club estimated it would cost more than $1 million to add another level, requiring fundraising, donations and grants.
Project manager Mike O'Connor stressed the proposal was still only at a "pre-project" stage.
"We are still obtaining the information required to enable the club to apply for funding for this major development," Mr O'Connor said.
Draft plans have been drawn up featuring modern showers, changing rooms, a recovery room and canteen on the ground floor, and a commercial kitchen, lounge catering for up to 100 seated guests and a deck taking in the lake and mountain views on the upper floor. A lift to carry kitchen supplies and give ease of access to the upstairs level is also proposed.
Mr O'Connor said the club was keen to hear from any community groups that would be interested in using the redeveloped clubroom facilities.
• The Upper Clutha Rugby Club is holding a fundraising dinner for its junior members from 6.30pm at the Lake Wanaka Centre this Friday night featuring Martin Devlin and Keith Quinn, "the gentleman and the larrikin of New Zealand sport". Tickets are $95.
