The Commonwealth Golf Club is one of Australia’s premier private golf clubs, with a rich history and a strong sense of tradition. The club had embarked on a significant redevelopment of their course and facilities, including a much-needed refurbishment of their iconic clubhouse.
The challenge
Our team encountered unique hurdles when working on the prestigious Commonwealth Golf Club in Oakleigh.
- Balancing Heritage with Functionality: The clubhouse is a heritage style building that had not undergone a major refurbishment in years. This presented a range of structural and aesthetic challenges, including rotten timbers and extensive surface wear.
- Minimising Disruption: As a working golf club, seamless member experience was essential. The best weather conditions for painting also attracts peak golf activity, requiring smart planning to avoid disruptions.
- Access and Safety: The size and structure of the clubhouse meant safe and efficient access was critical for our team, especially with works being carried out on both the front and rear elevations.
Solution
Our Melbourne team approached the project with a tailored strategy built on decades of experience in commercial painting and refurbishment.
- Site Assessment and Preparation: Conducting detailed inspection of the building and identifying areas of timber rot and structural fatigue. We ensured all surfaces were prepared, with repairs and restoration completed prior to painting.
- Smart Access Solution: We take safety of our people very seriously. To maintain a high standard of safety and efficiency, scaffolding was installed at the front of the clubhouse, while elevated work platforms (EWPs), including scissor lifts and boom lifts, were used at the rear.
- Traffic and Pedestrian Management: Our team implemented a clear pedestrian management plan that enabled members to continue enjoying the golf course uninterrupted. Our team worked closely with club management to schedule works around busy periods and ensured clear communication at every phase of the restoration.
Results and Impact
Our efforts delivered a flawless transformation. The clubhouse was restored to its former glory, with a durable and visually striking finish that will stand the test of time.
- Minimal disruption to golf operations and club members
- Seamless collaboration with club management and staff
- Restoration of deteriorated surfaces with high quality finishes
- Enhanced visual appeal, adding value to the wider redevelopment project
What the club had to say
“Working with Higgins was a smooth and professional experience from start to finish. Their team kept us informed every step of the way and were incredibly mindful of our members needs throughout the project. The quality of the work is second to none. We’re extremely happy with the result.”
Facilities Manager, Commonwealth Golf Club
