Ian Gillings, the owner of the Grand Western Lodge in Millthorpe, now has a distinct spring in his step following approval being given to change the use of the building from a boarding house to a hotel / motel.
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Since purchasing the historic building early in 2020 Mr Gillings has been methodically working through the repainting, re-carpeting and electrical work to bring light and modern conveniences into the building.
When the lodge opened in 1905 communal bathrooms were the norm and guests arrived either on the train or by horse and sulky.
Those two issues are at the root of Mr Gillings' development application and it has been the parking problem that has led him to forming a beneficial relationship with the Millthorpe Bowling Club.
Mr Gillings said that an agreement has been reached with the club to have spaces made available in their car park for the miners expected to use the accommodation.
"It will be part of their contract when they book to stay here that they park at the bowling club, they can't avoid it," he said.
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Mr Gillings said that the club would also benefit by being able to offer his guests meals and a welcome drink after their shift ends.
The bathrooms at the lodge will be modernised and although there won't be ensuite bathrooms in the rooms, privacy will be higher than the communal bathrooms of the past.
One large bathroom for instance will be divided into three separate self-contained bathrooms and toilets.
"This is not honeymoon accommodation," he laughed, "This is for single travellers and at the moment its designed for mine workers looking for comfortable accommodation."
The old bar and games rooms are currently being used as storerooms, bulging with Italian flat-pack furniture, new beds and mattresses, compact refrigerators and locally sourced curtains and blinds.
"I've been waiting for them to give me the approval to get started on the bathroom modifications and now that I have it I can get the builders to commence work on the revamp," Mr Gillings said.
As for the old bar, Mr Gillings is open to any ideas.
"I'm happy to hear from anyone who may be looking for a somewhere to establish a business," he said.
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Mark Logan
Started working in newspapers in the 1990's in the darkroom of the Pastoral Times in Deniliquin before moving to Millthorpe in 2003. Soon after arriving I started as a photographer at the CWD. Now a journalist at the Blayney Chronicle.
Started working in newspapers in the 1990's in the darkroom of the Pastoral Times in Deniliquin before moving to Millthorpe in 2003. Soon after arriving I started as a photographer at the CWD. Now a journalist at the Blayney Chronicle.
