Business
19 December, 2025
Club’s 2027 vision
THE Cairns RSL Club has unveiled its expansion plans for a new $20 million venue at Gordonvale.
The club lodged a development application for the project with Cairns Regional Council this week. The aim is to start construction early in 2027 and to open later that year.
The new venue will be known as the Gordonvale Community Services Club (Club Vale).
Club general manager Craig Clark said out of respect for the Gordonvale RSL Sub-Branch, which has a building used as a hall in the old town centre, the club would not use the RSL name.
He said earlier this year the club bought a 38,000sqm block of empty land on the corner of Draper Rd and Dempsey St for the new venue, as well as future plans for a veteran housing development.
He said the aim was for “vibrant family-oriented community club, designed specifically to grow with the Gordonvale community”.
“The club’s commitment to integrating with the local culture and history is central to its plans, ensuring that the club will be a true reflection of Gordonvale’s spirit as an inclusive community hub,” Mr Clark said.
Club president Gail Russell said it was “exciting” and something the club had been exploring for some time.
She said it would be a single level building of about 1500sqm with a high pitched roof with vaulted ceilings.
Local builders and subbies
Mrs Russell said the contract would go out to tender after council DA approval with the emphasis on using locally-based builders and subbies. The club will employ 35-40 local people.
She said their studies had found demand for a community club in the area.
Mr Clark said there would be a focus on families with a lot of dining spaces, a children’s room, a sports bar and gaming with 50 poker machines initially, expanding to 100.
He said the design of the club at the corner of Draper Rd and Dempsey St would allow for extensions to the periphery. Carparking would start at 160 and expand to 300 spaces.
Loans and savings
Mr Clark said it would be funded from savings and borrowings.
He said, while the Cairns RSL Club was fundamentally a hospitality-based organisation, its core objectives remained steadfastly focused on supporting veterans and commemorating the sacrifices made by those who have served.
“The long-term vision for the Gordonvale site includes a significant commitment to veterans, with more than half of the property flagged for an industry-leading veterans’ housing initiative,” he said.
Unique precinct
“The vision here is to create a unique precinct which, as well as the traditional community club operation, providing housing, support and engagement opportunities for veterans.”
Currently, the club, which has 8500 members, operates as a tenant of the Cairns RSL Sub Branch at the Esplanade site, a partnership that has been ongoing since 1992.
Through rent and other contributions, the club has played a pivotal role in supporting the sub branch’s work with the ADF and veteran community.
In 2025 alone, the club will contribute over $540,000 in rent and supplementary funding as well as considerable in-kind support, enabling the sub branch to continue its exceptional work.
Additionally, the club has provided support to 21 separate ex-service and ADF groups over the past two years.
Club’s generosity
Mr Clark said community clubs were an essential part of the social fabric in Queensland and the Cairns RSL Club’s impact in recent years was testament to this.
“Over 85 groups and individuals have directly benefited from the club’s various programs in the past two years,” he said.
“The recently relaunched ‘Hospitality Hearts’ community benefits program now offers $100,000 in potential grants, extending further opportunities for local groups to access support.
“The club’s commitment goes far beyond financial assistance. In the wake of Cyclone Jasper, the club provided more than 1600 meals to emergency hubs at Machans and Holloways beaches, with efforts continuing for months after the initial disaster – highlighting the club’s dedication to supporting the community in times of need.”
Mr Clark said both the current Esplanade and the new Gordonvale premises would be maintained with the Draper Rd site operating as a sister venue.
Dual membership
Members will benefit from dual membership, enjoying the amenities and programs offered at both locations.
Mr Clark said the club would provided Gordonvale with “a premium family-focused community hub and meaningful ongoing community support, secondly an opportunity to demonstrate and provide significant support to veterans, and, perhaps most importantly, future-proofing the organisation for its members.”
