Workers club will not reopen until March

The lower levels will remain closed and a new entrance rebuilt with most of the clubs operations left to run on the third level of the building.

"With the extent of the damage we might not be open until March next year now," Lismore Workers Club general manager Stephen Bortolin said.

"We were hoping for Christmas, but I don't think that will happen.

"There will be no rebuild on the ground level and we'll have the auditorium and everything on level three operating as it was.

"The board looked at relocating the club, but it isn't feasible."

The club has kept a skeleton staff of five on while others have been redeployed to the golf club and sports club at Goonellabah.

"We tried to accommodate everyone as best we could," Bortolin said.

"Some have gone on to other clubs around the district; they've all told us that they're happy and have found work.

"We're lucky we have the two other clubs and the motel who are trading."

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In the 2017, Lismore Workers Club was inundated on the ground level by flooding.

The essentials from that level were lifted during a 12-hour period before flood waters reached inside.

The club still suffered significant damage and the rebuild took six months.

In 2019, the auditorium was renovated and brought to modern standards, with all new furnishings, stage curtain, carpet and rendering.

This also included a full overhaul of the audio visual systems in the room to include a state-of-the-art mapped projection and sound system.

The club purchased the Ballina Palms Boutique Motel in 2020.

Despite two years of disruptions from COVID-19, Bortolin said the club went into 2022 in a good financial position.

"We have no debt with money in the bank, but we certainly could have done without this," he said.

"It's a big job ahead and we're liaising with builders and working out what needs to happen moving forward."