Illawarra Catholic Club’s latest purchase of a Blue Mountains hotel and some luxury apartments, confirms the club group’s pivot into accommodation. The ICC has acquired the Mountain Heritage Hotel in Katoomba and the Falls Mountain Retreat apartments in Wentworth Falls.
This follows the relaunch of the $80m Club Central Hurstville, Illawarra Catholic Club’s homebase, which includes a new 124-room Travelodge Hotel which will be operated by TFE Hotels.
The club, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, launched the expanded and refurbished club premises in February and aims to attract the convention audience.
The quality accommodation joins an expanded function centre Level three of Club Central features. Now called Southern Sydney Event Centre it features a 600-seat auditorium for large corporate gatherings and is also able to host major entertainment events and touring shows.
Joining the convention and entertainment facilities are new and refreshed restaurants including the new Central Cucina bistro with its French and Italian influences, club favourites Imperial Dynasty and NIJI Sushi bar, plus the Stone Bar and Lounge which was finished in 2020. There is also a new gaming floor and al fresco area.
Sitting on level nine, atop the Travelodge, is the club’s new Above 8 rooftop restaurant which offers both indoor seating and an outdoor terrace with views across Botany Bay.
The restaurant offers a share-style menu including woodfire pizza, impressive cocktail list, Australian and international wines, plus beers and spirits.
The new facilities are just 20 minutes by fast train from the Sydney CBD.
Club Central chief executive officer Paul Richardson said the refurbished and expanded club combined with the new Travelodge are offering something Hurstville has never had before.
“We are delivering world-class facilities to Hurstville,” Mr Richardson said of the 60,000 member ICC Group, which also operates Club Central Menai in southern Sydney.
Mountain Heritage Hotel owner The Crockett Group managing director Garry Crockett said ICC was “the perfect custodian for adding another layer of history and development to each of the properties”.
“ICC Group has an established track record of service and commitment to their staff, their members, and the community at large,” he said.
The 43-room Mountain Heritage Hotel features 4.5 star accommodation in a charming 1908 iconic Katoomba building with views over the Jamison Valley.
Originally known as The California, as it was clad in Californian Redwood, it was built by wealthy Sydney businessman Herbert Preston.
The ICC also recently rescued the Georges River 16ft Sailing Club which came under severe financial pressure during the COVID pandemic.
ICC committed to paying out the sailing club’s outstanding debts, including $250,000 to the ATO and has committed to spending $10 million over the next decade on the sailing club.
Improvements will include a new feature balcony facing the beach and Botany Bay, and an adjoining bar and restaurant.
