When a planning application for a new pool hall on Tenth Street appeared this week, there wasn’t much information about exactly what was being planned.
Now we know considerably more.
One of the owners, Nikki Cameron, has spoken with Out & About Sunraysia about the plans for the new venue, which will be called Club Sleight.
And if Council approval is received, there’s a lot more planned than just a few pool tables.
“The building is underway. We have 10 brand new competition-ready pool tables and four historic snooker tables,” Nikki said.
Among those snooker tables is something particularly unusual.
“One is 180 years old from South Africa. They will be professionally restored with all new top dressing.”
The mix of brand-new competition tables and historic restored snooker tables should give Club Sleight a fairly distinctive feel.
Competition, Coaching and a Junior Academy
The owners are also planning to make the venue a home for both serious players and those who simply enjoy a social game.
“We’ll be offering competition nights, coaching sessions, a junior academy and social nights out,” Nikki said.
That junior academy could give younger local players somewhere to learn the game and develop their skills, while competition nights and coaching would cater for more experienced players.
But Club Sleight isn’t being planned purely as a competition venue.
Dining and drink options are also planned, along with a beer garden, and the owners intend to cater for private functions.
“We’ll have dining and drink options available, a beer garden, and we’re taking bookings for Christmas parties and private events.”
So, What’s Behind the Name Club Sleight?
Even the name has a connection to the game.
Nikki explained that Club Sleight combines slate — the traditional playing surface beneath the cloth of a quality billiards table — with eight, representing the eight ball.
It’s a clever name for a venue the owners hope will become part of Mildura’s social and competitive pool scene.
There’s Still One Important Hurdle
While work is underway and the owners are preparing for the new venue, the proposal is still subject to the planning process.
A planning application has been lodged for 14 Tenth Street, Mildura, seeking approval to use the property as a Restricted Recreation Facility (Pool Hall).
Nikki is well aware that approval still needs to come through.
“As you know, Council approval can be fickle, but we are positive and excited about bringing this club, Club Sleight, to our home community.”
So we’re not putting an opening date on it just yet.
But we now have a much clearer picture of what’s planned if approval is granted — 10 new competition pool tables, four historic snooker tables, competitions, coaching, a junior academy, social nights, food and drinks, a beer garden and private functions.
And somewhere amongst it all will be a 180-year-old snooker table from South Africa getting another chance to host a game — this time in Mildura.
