St John's Club's million dollar makeover

St John Club's renovations were officially opened by past president of Clubs New Zealand Tom Fisher and life members Ted Downing, Laurie Harding and Joy Pratt on Saturday. Photo / Bevan Conley

A $1.3million renovation of the St John's Club has been officially opened just months before it celebrates its 125th anniversary.

The club has had a revamp of the bottom floor lounge and bar area along with its carpark over the past year with a balcony overlooking the Victoria Bowling Club has also added.

"It's been a bit of a journey, that's for sure," president Royce Tunbridge said.

The Glasgow St club never closed during the work but a temporary bar had to be set up for about three months.

"Obviously there was disruption to the club but not too much. It was good from our club members being as patient as they were," Mr Tunbridge said.

"Over the last couple of years we've had quite an increase in membership. It was just time for an upgrade."

The opening was attended by the past president of Clubs New Zealand Tom Fisher and representatives from other clubs.

Meanwhile, Mr Tunbridge said St John's Club was in good health and now had more than 2000 members.

"They are pretty impressed with what they are coming into now," he said.

"They've stuck by us pretty well and without their support obviously we wouldn't have got this far.

"I think it's just the service and the fact that it's a safe place to socialise. That certainly brings membership in."

Mr Tunbridge said more renovation work was being planned and he hoped it would completed by 2020.

"We've sort of been steadily saving money over the years to get here."

The club is preparing to celebrate its 125th anniversary on January 20.