Pictured: Lachlan Pellegrino and Rossi Lagana (The Deck Group), Richard Holland (City of Geelong Bowls) and Michael McKay (Belgravia Leisure) at The Deck Geelong.
What happens when golf, bowls, and hospitality come together in one place?
Three local forces are coming together with a shared goal to reimagine what the Geelong Golf Club precinct can offer its community.
Belgravia Leisure and the City of Geelong Bowls Club have formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), following more than six months of collaborative planning and co-design to shape the future of the shared hospitality space and clubhouse at the Geelong Golf Club precinct.
This work has moved beyond concept, with a clear and aligned vision now established to deliver a more connected, activated and contemporary destination for members, residents and visitors.
As part of this vision, Belgravia Leisure has secured the services of The Deck Group, the team behind The Deck Geelong, Dive Bar Geelong, Ooh Baby and Bam Bam, to bring the space to life through a new hospitality concept, The Paddock.
Artist impressions of The Paddock, a proposed new hospitality venue at Geelong Golf Club.
Drawing on deep local knowledge and a strong track record of venue delivery, the partnership blends leisure, sport and hospitality expertise to create a precinct that reflects Geelong’s identity while expanding its appeal.
Belgravia Leisure Business Development Manager Michael McKay said the focus is on capturing what has been an elusive opportunity, to create a space that residents of the Estate, members and the broader community can be proud to call their “club”.
“For 10 years we have co-existed, but contractual arrangements have never enabled the stars to align on a collaboration of this scale. It has been very fun. Richard used to manage iconic venues like the Provincial in Fitzroy, so he knows what good looks like.
“I also have so much admiration for Rossi and Lachie. They have built various hospitality concepts from the ground up in Geelong, and they are a perfect fit for this project. When we all met at the Bowls Club, the partnership just ‘clicked’ immediately. Something special is definitely brewing.
“There is still a tender process to play out and of course we are hopeful to remain involved in this amazing precinct, servicing our loyal members and guests. Whilst we cannot comment on the status of the process, we’re excited about this tri-party partnership and the value it will unlock for residents and the next generation,” Michael concluded.
Images are artist impressions of the proposed future Geelong Golf Club community precinct. Credit: George Bush Architects.
City of Geelong Bowls Club President Richard Holland said the club was excited about the opportunity to work with Belgravia Leisure and Geelong Golf Club.
“It’s exciting to see golf and bowls coming together in the same precinct. Collaboration like this helps clubs stay strong and creates more opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to get involved.”
Rossi Lagana from The Deck Group added:
“We’re passionate about creating spaces where people come together. For us, it’s about building a true community destination. Bringing together golf, bowls and a quality food and beverage experience allows us to create something really special for the people of Geelong.”
Looking ahead, Belgravia Leisure is supporting the City of Geelong Bowls Club through sponsorship and will co-host a Beanies for Brain Cancer charity golf day at Geelong Golf Club in September, bringing the local sporting community together to support vital cancer research and a cause that resonates strongly across the golfing world.
Further details on the partnership and future initiatives across the Geelong Golf Club precinct are expected to be shared in the coming months.
For more information, visit the Geelong Golf Club website.
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