Lyall Bay Surf Life Saving Club Celebrates Opening of New Clubhouse

15th August 2021

Media release

Lyall Bay Surf Life Saving Club Celebrates Opening of New Clubhouse

Striking, contemporary building meets club’s current and future needs

Lyall Bay Surf Life Saving Club was formed on 15th August 1910 and was the first club to actively conduct surf lifesaving patrols in New Zealand. Over a century later the club is still going strong and will open its new clubhouse on the 15th of August 2021, exactly 111 years since the club’s first beginnings.

The process to build the new multi-million-dollar surf life-saving clubhouse began back in 2007. The previous clubhouse dated back to 1957 and was in a poor state, no longer fit for the requirements of an effective, modern lifeguarding service.

Matt Flannery, Chair of Lyall Bay Surf Life Saving Club, says, “We’re delighted to finally open our new clubhouse which will be a huge asset to the club, and the Lyall Bay and wider Wellington community. It enables the club to continue its important service to the public of providing surf lifeguarding to Lyall Bay beach.”

The new striking, contemporary building was designed by Archaus architects to create efficient, purpose-built spaces to meet the current and future needs of the club.

The new clubhouse contains storage areas, changing facilities, a patrol/first aid room, and training/lounge areas on two levels. The building has been designed to give the public a view of the activities taking place in the clubhouse through the entrance foyer, with the patrol room and other spaces on show.

The colours on the building’s exterior represent both the Lyall Bay club colours of blue and white, and the iconic red and yellow of Surf Lifesaving New Zealand. This creates a vibrant external envelope reflecting the active and energetic nature of the surf club.

Matt Flannery acknowledges the contributions made to make the building of the new clubhouse possible, “We’re immensely grateful for the support received from the Government, Wellington City Council, Wellington Airport, New Zealand Lotteries, community trusts and local fundraising efforts. I look forward to seeing the club and community enjoy the benefits the clubhouse will provide, now and for many years to come.”

The clubhouse will be officially opened by Sir Lockwood Smith, Lyall Bay Surf Life Saving Club Patron, and Marilyn Moffatt, Surf Life Saving New Zealand President and Lyall Bay Surf Life Saving Club Life Member, at a ceremony taking place at 1pm on Sunday the 15^th of August.

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For further information please contact Lwindi Ellis at Raise Communications
T: 021433475 | E: lwindi@raisecomunications.co.nz