CLUBHOUSE renovations at Redlands Rugby League Club are nearing completion despite a three week pause during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic threatening to throw the project off track.
The second intake of Skilling Queenslanders for Work participants had to down tools in April under tight restrictions but earned their qualifications last week after completing a share of the refurbishments.
The club now plans to have new flooring installed in the bar and kitchen and vinyl planking added around the building to put the finishing touches on the project.
It comes as junior footballers prepare for a return to play this weekend.
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Training Minister Shannon Fentiman said the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program was about giving young people the experience they needed to get a job and build a career.
"Since getting back on the tools after a three week pause during COVID-19, the team have been busy at work tiling bathrooms, painting and plastering the clubhouse," she said.
The club received a state government grant worth $598,000 at the end of last year, allowing money that would have been spent on renovations to be redirected into junior development.
President Todd Flahey said the club would pay tribute to one of the club's founding fathers by naming the sports bar in his honour.
"We are going to pay tribute to Norm Ross and honour our history," he said.
"We have a really long and amazing history but we fell short of making that known to all of our members in the past.
"I am proud of the club and the people that have put it in the position it is and we have to pay tribute to that because without people from the past putting in the effort, the club doesn't exist."
Redlands MP Kim Richards said the project was a boost to the trainees and the football club.
"Skilling Queenslanders for Work has already assisted almost 900 locals in the Redlands through 42 projects with over 550 going on to get a job because of the program," she said.
The second intake of trainees completed upgrades to the toilet facilities, including tiling the bathrooms.
They also painted and plastered inside and outside the clubhouse.
Nine of the original 15 participants returned to the project in April after the coronavirus break.
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