New clubhouse for Waikanae on track

A number of surf clubs around New Zealand are in the process of getting upgrades. In the first of a new series, we find out how the building project is going in Waikanae…

It's full steam ahead for the crew working on the new Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club.

The old clubrooms have been demolished and the walls are going up at a steady pace.

The new building is expected to be completed by November and it will be a two storied complex with the bottom floor housing all the lifesaving equipment, first aid room, changing sheds and public toilets. The  upper floor will contain a purpose built lifeguarding tower, a community room and a gym. 

The project has been about six years in the making.

Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club has been providing lifeguarding services to the local area since 1950 and the club's first purpose built club rooms were opened in 1958.

Those club rooms were then extended around 40 years ago and included a new kitchen, refurbished men's changing room and a medical treatment room/patrol room that later became a women's changing room. Those extensions were formally opened in 1978. 

In recent years, the clubhouse could no longer meet the demands of modern lifeguarding and the structure had some repair and maintenance issues.

Club manager Gary Stevens says with a membership of over 450, a rebuild was the most cost effective option. "Our members are incredibly excited to see the progress on the project," he says.

"The new building will help future-proof lifeguarding services at Waikanae beach and offer modern facilities that can also be utilised by our partner clubs and community groups."

Surf Life Saving Eastern Region Manager Chris Emmett says this project will enhance the sprit and culture of the club and see it through for the next 50 years. "The club has worked really hard on this project and it will be a fantastic community facility for the future," he says.

The total cost of the rebuild is approx $1.8M. While much of the building cost has been covered through funders  the club  is still actively fundraising the 170k required to complete the build

The club has created the 'Friends of Waikanae appeal' to help raise the balance.

Anyone who makes a donation over $250 will be acknowledged on a board inside the club and will receive an invite to the opening ceremony.

To become a Friend of Waikanae, or make a donation, please contact Mr Stevens on 0273392495 or email surfline@xtra.co.nz.

Is your club currently undergoing a rebuild or redevelopment? Please get in touch with some more information.

 Work is well underway on the new Waikanae Surf Life Saving Club. Click here to view more photos.

For more information, please contact:

Lisa Honeybone, Media & Communications Specialist, SLSNZ
Phone 09 303 9335 or 0276 488 823
Email lisa.honeybone@surflifesaving.org.nz