On point: New Point Lonsdale SLSC rooms set to open in March

THE upgraded clubhouse at Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club is only months away from being finished, and members are excited about moving into their new space.

The two-storey building will replace the existing clubhouse and include a kiosk, multi-function space and bar, meeting and administration areas, aquatic store and wash-down yard, and a variety of lounge areas for all ages and abilities.

A large public lawn with terraced decking will provide a civic interface with Ocean Road and the connecting surf beach, supporting food trucks and community events during the peak summer season.

Point Lonsdale SLSC president Charlie Pitney said the clubrooms were on track to reach practical completion by March 26, with the club to fully occupy the building at some point after that.

“Initially, we were thinking about running a new clubhouse launch around the Easter weekend but I think it’s probably a bit too tight to get into the building and have everything organised in the space in a week.

“So, we’re probably looking more like having some sort of soft launch, with the official clubhouse launch maybe a little bit later in the year.

“This year, we thought we might have to go back to basics a little or go into some sort of hibernation because of COVID-19, but come next year, we’re going to be much bigger, much better, in a new clubhouse, and it’ll be a really exciting time for people to come and get involved with the club.”

The $5.7 million project was funded by $2.25 million of community donations, as well as $2.2 million from the state Labor Government and $1.25 million in two separate grants from the federal Coalition Government.

Mr Pitney said he was particularly impressed at how the community had dug into their pockets to support the rebuild.

“It goes to show the strong level of community support for our club and for the lifesaving movement,” he said.

Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson inspected the clubhouse works during a site visit earlier this month.

“The new club building is incredibly impressive,” she said.

“The Morrison Government is delighted to be helping to fund the construction.

“Club members have also done an extraordinary job in raising more than $1 million towards the new building. This has been a real labour of love.

“Surf life saving clubs are the heart and soul of every coastal community across our region. Our government recognises the vital role they play in keeping our beaches safe, in saving lives and in making an important contribution to the community more broadly.”

The old clubhouse was demolished in November 2019 and Point Lonsdale SLSC has been running lifesaving patrols out of temporary facilities since then.

Mr Pitney said the club had adapted well to its second season without a clubhouse.

“Believe it or not, COVID for us this year was in some ways a blessing in disguise,” he said.

“We had a really great summer last year, had all the activities go ahead and managed to do a couple of ad hoc social events and managed to keep the club really energised and together.

“This year, we’ve had to strip back in terms of what we’re doing … but we’re looking at doing some smaller, targeted training for our existing members as well as doing some community engagement, like Bronze Medallion classes for parents at local primary schools and trying to get the local boardriders club on board.”