NADI FARMERS CLUB REOPENS UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT
Nadi Farmers Club Home of the Legend Sports Bar, reopened for business under new management.
New owner, Steve McLellan, a wellknown Australian sports administrator and a former Fiji National Rugby League general manager, has ventured into the club business.
The club was revamped as a sports bar, and a restaurant, where walls are adorned with framed sports jerseys and memorabilia.
Mr McLellan said: “During the pandemic, Nadi was the most difficult because of the hit on tourism and hospitality.
“I think as difficult as COVID-19 is, you want to try and let people live a normal life.
“If part of your normal life is going out socialising, we are open to accommodate that.”
While the investment budget was significant, Government policies made it easier, he said.
“They are encouraging people obviously to try to get their economy kick-started. “We have taken up a bit of a risk. “I thought anyone wouldn’t be successful without taking a risk.”
Investment
Mr McLellan said: “We had to start from scratch but that hasn’t been a bad thing.
“There was some frustration when we wanted to start earlier.”
The establishment employs seven workers.
“We have re-employed the majority of staff who have worked here,” Mr McLellan said.
Phase 2 and Phase 3
Mr McLellan said an events room is being removed in time for the Christmas festivities.
The rooftop will feature another sitting area with bars, he said.
The club will support some of the local sports teams based in Nadi, in the fields of touch rugby and rugby league, Mr McLellan said.
“We want to turn it into a sports bar and then sponsor some of the local sporting clubs,” he said.
“We are going to look after their players.
“Unfortunately, a lot of people see sponsorship; they don’t see they are servicing the sponsor.
“Some people see sponsorship as a donation and want a return.”