In a statement, club captain Mark Hastie said the project would replace the club’s 40-year-old A-frame structure with a purpose-built two-storey facility, including a lifeguard tower, observation deck and first aid room.
The current facility would be completely replaced to meet modern safety and operational standards.
Warrington Surf Life Saving Club plays a critical role in beach safety, and performed more than 1200 preventive actions in the past season.
The new facility would support the club’s rapid growth, coinciding with the expansion of the Warrington community, which had seen an increase in new residential builds as well as the development of a large freedom camping site, he said.
"The generous award of a grant by the Otago Community Trust will support Warrington Surf Life Saving Club in replacing the original A-frame club building, which is now over 40 years old," Mr Hastie said.
"These upgrades will significantly enhance the capacity of our club to deliver lifesaving services, providing our volunteers with the facilities they need to perform their duties effectively, support the development of our junior members to become the lifeguards of the future and continue to deliver programmes to support and promote water safety and develop surf sport capability for children and young people in the local community, utilising a fit-for-purpose modern facility."
The club had strong community ties, some families involved across three generations, he said.
At present, there are more than 100 members under the age of 14 and a multi-generational volunteer base ranging from 15 to 58 years old.
The new facility would support the club’s comprehensive programmes, including its Nippers lifeguard training initiative, which prepared young members to become future lifesavers, Mr Hastie said.
Beyond its lifesaving services, the club has become a community resource, offering beach education programmes and surf safety courses for local junior and secondary school students.
The upgraded facility would provide a modern, functional space that supported training, equipment storage and community engagement, he said. — APL
