The Southern Cross Club's Tuggeranong venue will undergo a major refurbishment in a bid to attract younger patrons.
From September 1, the gaming lounge and reception at 39 Pitman Street, Greenway, will be updated.
A second stage of refurbishment, beginning January 6, will include a major rebrand of the dining facilities and bar.
Most of the existing ground floor will be demolished.
The gym and function room upstairs will remain, but 23 spots in the top-floor carpark will be removed for the extension.
Rebrand to 'keep up with the Joneses'
Southern Cross Club chief executive Matthew Walshe said the work was crucial for moving the business forward.
The rebranded venue, to be referred to as Southbound, will have a central kitchen with a parrilla grill over coals and a bar offering 24 beers on tap.
Food and beverage revenue surpassed that of gaming across Southern Cross venues last financial year, Mr Walshe said.
He hoped this may happen again.
"We talk about diversification and part of the club's diversification strategy is investing in our food and beverage offerings," he said.
Mr Walshe was confident the updates would encourage new patrons, including a younger demographic.
"It will be one of the best places to come and watch sport in the valley," he said.
"We need to be keeping up with the Joneses to keep [business] going."
A large, glass roof will allow natural light into the venue and several dining areas, all serviced from a central kitchen, will provide different dining styles.
Southern Cross Club Tuggeranong will continue trading throughout the refurbishment.
A laneway between the club and stadium will be closed during both stages of work.
The rebrand follows major refurbishments to the Woden Southern Cross Club facility and Snapper & Co at the yacht club, which opened in 2022.
Mr Walshe said Woden staff had felt reinvigorated by the upgrade - something that he hoped would happen for Tuggeranong.
Build-to-rent project underway
The Southern Cross Club also has plans underway for 140 build-to-rent units on club land at Woden.
Mr Walshe said a development application was lodged with ACT Planning on August 19.
It is expected to go on public exhibition in the coming weeks.
The homes are being developed in conjunction with community housing provider CHC Australia.
The ACT government is contributing money for half of the units as part of the territory's $80 million affordable housing project fund announced last financial year.
The apartments are part of a larger project to transform the Southern Cross Club's former pitch and putt course at 50 Launceston Street, which could have up to 800 dwellings on the block.
A health and wellness centre was planned for the site in 2018 and has since been constructed. It will remain when the units are built.
