Newspaper Article 2002 – The club with a view

TONGUE and Groove

. . . The Definitive Dining and Entertainment Guide . . .

The club with a view

Havelock North Club began life as a homestead with a magnificent view across the Heretaunga Plains, and it still retains some of the stately charm.

It has, of course, been completely renovated and added to over the 54 years since it was taken over by a group with a vision for a private club in Havelock North. It has the distinction of having its own road sign on Campbell Street pointing up the steep curving drive to its hilltop position.

John Gillies (pictured), in his second term as Club President was happy to show us around the facilities last week. “The original homestead gave way to this lounge, bar, kitchen and restaurant area,” he explained. “Very soon after it was acquired, the snooker room was added on the southern side, and the large lounge, which we often have set up for indoor bowls, was added later.”

“It is quite unusual to have a purpose built snooker room – usually clubs have to put up with some other converted room with blacked out windows or cramped spaces.”

Certainly the room is well set up with five impressively expansive full-sized snooker tables, and a wall full of cues in their rack.

“Originally the whole place was stained and painted dark brown – it was like a morgue! We have redecorated and painted throughout now, and we stripped the stain off the wood in the lounge to discover this beautiful warm rimu panelling.

“Club membership has grown hugely – over 400 members now with 100 new comers in the last 12 months. The membership is well mixed – men and women of all ages. Most of the new members are in the 25-45 year age bracket – reflective of the growth that the Village has undergone in recent years.

“People are coming here to settle from Auckland, Wellington, Tauranga… bigger centres where they are used to the kind of atmosphere and the facilities that a club can provide.”

Comments from members have strengthened John’s belief that the Havelock North Club is catering to the needs of its members and consequently attracting others.

“They like the friendly, inclusive atmosphere here. It is never too noisy, everyone is made welcome, the facilities are well spread out so people can socialise as they feel comfortable.”

The Club is open from 11am until it closes. Thursday-Saturday are the big nights. Thursday is Members’ Night with special activities and raffle draws. Thursday and Friday nights there are good straightforward meals available – steak, roast, fish – at very reasonable prices. “The average meal cost is $10,” John confirmed, “and bar snacks are available most of the time.

“Because we are placed a little out of the way, and because we operate by membership, we can cater for our members more personally. It is not a walk in off the street sort of place, which our patrons appreciate. We also operate a courtesy coach to take members home.”

Beyond the restaurant’s dining room is a deck with a BBQ facility. We are not surprised to learn that this area is particularly well utilised through the summer. Who could resist enjoying a BBQ with such a $million view from ‘their’ deck?

With such spacious facilities, the HN Club is also available for hire for private functions. “With full bar facilities and kitchen (where we utilise Regal Caterers), options are unlimited – we can provide facilities, caterer, music, band, and meals from BBQ to a la carte,” John continued.

“Each of the rooms can be isolated by folding doors to ensure privacy – or at least until such time that the private guests decide that they would also like a game of pool, or darts or a flutter on the pokies.”