Cronulla RSL Memorial Club has dumped plans for a retractable cover on its sun-drenched patio overlooking Cronulla Park and beach, and is seeking approval for a fixed awning.
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Chief executive Sue McNeill said the proposed structure, which was designed to reduce noise, “is not high, so you will still get the outdoor feeling”.
The club has been working with Sutherland Shire Council and a sound engineer on reducing noise associated with a proposed increase in the seating capacity of the lower deck from 60 to 200.
A development application (DA) for a retractable awning and increased seating was lodged with the council in mid-2016, but was withdrawn six months later.
A new DA proposes the construction of a metal framed canopy to cover most of the seating area on what is now called the Sun Deck.
“The canopy will be given acoustic treatment to mitigate noise,” the DA said.
“Acoustic baffles will be fixed to the underside of the canopy around the smokers’ area at the western end, and where the existing glass balustrade will be raised to a height of 2100mm.
“The existing glass balustrade will continue to enclose the remainder of the terrace at its current height.
“The seating arrangements will be changed to allow 200 patrons to sit on the terrace deck.”
Ms McNeill said the fixed awning would run about three quarters of the way along the northern side of the club.
“We have built quite a lot of acoustics into that space to deal with the noise issue,” she said.
“It will be built to take the number of seats we have asked for, and we have complied with the council’s requests.
“It’s important to get it right because we have a lot of neighbours.
“We are not going to have 200 people out there all the time, but if you wanted to have a function like a stand-up cocktail party, we need to be sure the sound doesn’t leak out.
“It will also be a benefit in extreme heat and other weather.
”When it’s raining or too hot, we can’t use the space.”
Ms McNeill said the awning would “not look like its bolted on, but like it’s been there from the beginning”.
“I think it will look quite special,” she said.
“It was important to retain the outdoor feeling because that’s what people go out there for.”
Ms McNeill said the fixed awning would also provide better working conditions for staff.
“We have been working with council and a sound engineer to get to where we are,” she said.
Ms McNeill said there were no plans to change approved trading hours.
The DA said the proposed canopy would be in character with the existing building and surrounding area.
It would not be visually prominent from the street as it would be partially screened by trees in Cronulla Park.
“The scale and appearance of the canopy will be similar to the existing verandah roof and the addition will not make a noticeable difference when the building is viewed from the park or from the residential buildings across the street,” the DA said.
“The proposal will provide better amenity for the numerous members and guests of the Club who wish to relax and enjoy the view over the park and out to the ocean.
“The views of residents in multi-storey residential buildings opposite will not be adversely affected by the proposal.
“The roof of the canopy is below the existing roofline of the club and well below the existing tree line screening the beach from Gerrale Street.”
