The secret ingredient: Christie barbecues boost community spirit at Park Lane Yarra Valley
The new camp kitchen refurbishment project included designing and building a communal cooking area featuring Christie barbecues
The 2021 development of a new camp kitchen at Park Lane Yarra Valley has transformed the park’s communal facilities and fostered a sense of community among guests.
The project, undertaken during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic, focused on creating an interactive gathering space for guests while allowing them to cook up a feast onsite.
The project included designing and building a communal cooking area featuring Christie barbecues. “We decided to use Christie barbecues because they are tried and tested and by far the best quality in the industry,” explained the holiday park’s General Manager Luke Hellings.
These barbecues were integrated into custom-designed benchtops tailored to facilitate conversations between guests and foster social interaction.
Understandably, the pandemic presented notable challenges to the upgrade, including delays in procuring materials such as kitchen board products.
Despite this, the project progressed, leveraging clear installation plans. “Actual installation of the barbecues is very easy. There are plans for installation that give plenty of informative direction,” noted Mr Hellings.
Collaboration with a skilled cabinet maker ensured the benches were designed to promote maintenance and cleaning. They have accessible spaces for fat waste trays and provide easy access for routine maintenance.
This article was originally published in the latest AccomNews print edition. [Read it here.]
However, given the project’s timing, the Park Lane Yarra Valley team did face shortages of materials and tradespeople.
“Joinery lead times were extended due to COVID, which resulted in delays of the installation of equipment and tiling for the project,” Mr Hellings shared. He added that these delays required flexibility in scheduling and close communication with suppliers.
The construction of the main building created a dry area for the fit-out, ensuring the project could proceed regardless of inclement weather.
The team’s experience upgrading the camp kitchen provided several valuable takeaways. Importantly, Mr Hellings observed the vital role that communal spaces play in differentiating holiday parks from other accommodation types, such as motels.
“Upgrading the camp kitchen has been a really big success for us. It’s the main gathering point where children and parents interact with other people in the holiday park,” he said.
This emphasis on guest interaction highlights the importance of investing in shared facilities. Since the camp kitchen’s completion, the response from guests and staff has been overwhelmingly positive. Guests have embraced the new facility, with Mr Hellings sharing that it is viewed as a “real asset” to the park.
“They often are completely blown away by the facility and love using the space.”
This communal hub has also become a focal point for social interaction, fostering connections among guests and enhancing the overall holiday experience.
The new facility has also bolstered staff morale.
“Our staff are really proud of our park and its facilities. When things are new and exciting, staff are proud to be working here and showcase the amenities to guests,” Mr Hellings said.
The Park Lane Yarra Valley team also noted that the upgraded camp kitchen has contributed to a noticeable increase in guest satisfaction, leading to positive reviews and returning guests.
“We have definitely noticed an increase in the satisfaction of our guests having the space open and operational since construction was completed,” Mr Hellings said. “It is often spoken about amongst guests.”
For other accommodation operators considering installing a communal kitchen space, Mr Hellings offered practical advice: Firstly, ensure detailed planning with a clear schedule to guide the project. Secondly, select reliable tradespeople to help resolve challenges and invest in quality commercial products from a reputable manufacturer that provides prompt after-sales service.
Finally, incorporate unique themes to make the space memorable for guests, creating a “wow moment” from when they walk in.
Sarah is a freelance journalist with experience across print, digital and audio. After working for Multimedia Publishing as a contributing writer, she has recently joined the team in a part-time capacity for School News AU and AccomNews.