The $30 million project is not due to be finished until May 2000 and will include an expanded gaming room, separate Club Keno and TAB, new dining areas and refurbished conference facilities.

In the meantime, the challenge facing management is to run the business as best as possible for it's 24,000 members.

"Once the new gaming section is opened in July, our existing room will be completely rebuilt", said Geoff Miller, Central Coast Leagues Club Gaming Manager.

"Over the past months we have re-assessed our mix of machines to ensure that our players have the most popular range of games available, and our profitability is maintained."

To this end the Gosford club recently installed a number of Milwell's 2000 series poker machines and has purchased Sigma's 12 station racing game.

"We heard that Milwell's poker machines were performing well at other clubs like Rooty Hill, so purchased them on their merit to offer something different for our players. We are one of the few clubs on the Central Coast with these particular machines and so far the results are very pleasing".

The new gaming room along with an adjoining gaming lounge to be called "Kelly's", will give the club a combined capacity of 550 machines. The racing game purchased through Milwell, will be a central feature of Kelly's.

Club management spent several months studying the performance of multi-terminal machines. The decision was made to purchase the Sigma game on both price and performance.

"Also, we will be the only club in the area with this 12-station multi-player game, so we can offer our members something completely different".

Indeed it seems like the club's initiative is paying off. They were one of the first clubs to try Konami machines when they were launched a year ago, and now they're banking on the success of Milwell's new range of machines.

The club is using the upgrade in gaming facilities to introduce aloyalty system for it's members, utilising Tattersalls Gaming Systems product.

The expanded gaming area plus the loyalty program will give us a real kick along", said Mr Miller.