"We are going to rebuild and be back better than we were before," those are the words of Stephen Bortolin the General Manager of the Lismore Workers Club.

The Lismore App has given recent updates on the reopening of Lismore Shopping Square and Lismore Central Shopping Centre. This update is for the popular Lismore Workers Club.

Just before the February 28 megaflood, membership at the Workers Club was about 11,500 people. It has been an institution in its Keen Street location for the last 63 years and provides employment for 50 people so it is positive when you read Stephen's words.

Like the saying says, "Good things come to those who wait" and members and residents of Lismore will need to wait until the end of the year before the first part of the club is reopened.

"The demolition hasn't finished yet," Stephen said, "We should be ready to rebuild in a month but that depends on the DA."

The cleanup process took two months with the removal of 3-floors of carpets, tables, chairs, and lounges, in fact, over 1000 pieces of furniture were lost plus computers. That represents about 40% of the club's furniture. Add to that the club's electronics like 25 sub-boards and an expensive electronic fire alarm system and you get a picture of the club's losses.

"We virtually lost one floor. We put all our furniture and items above 1974 flood levels hoping it would be safe."

That theory follows the thoughts of so many other businesses in the CBD and South and North Lismore.

The ground floor will be rebuilt on the Bistro level and the Auditorium will be rebuilt so that live shows, synonymous with the Workers Club, can start entertaining us once again.

As for the ground floor, that will be a void until the board make a decision on what to do with it. Stephen added, "There will be no services down there again. Whatever the result is, it will have to be flood friendly."

What we can tell you is the glass atrium in the old foyer will be going. Plans are being drawn up now but we have to wait for a sneak peek.

Paynter Dixon Constructions are looking after the rebuild using local building firm Joel Jensen Construction.

If the DA is approved quickly by Lismore City Council, Stephen hopes they can open some facilities by Christmas, however, that also depends on the availability of building material as well.

The Lismore Workers Club has been extremely well run over the years making some sound investments that keep money coming in while the rebuild takes place and being in the lucky position of having no debt. "The club is in good nick," Stephen said, "we are financial."

There was discussion about moving to higher ground in the early days after the flood at East Lismore or Goonallabah at considerable cost but as Stephen put it "Why relocate when you can build higher".

That brings us back to Stephen's first line, "We are going to rebuild and be back better than we were before."