Sod turned at Point Lonsdale SLSC clubhouse

WORK has started on the new Point Lonsdale SLSC clubhouse, which will provide locals and visitors with a larger, modern facility.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Bellarine MP Lisa Neville officially turned the first sod on Sunday alongside members of Point Lonsdale SLSC and Life Saving Victoria, and thanked volunteers and locals for their work in keeping beachgoers safe.

The new $5.7 million two-storey clubhouse will serve as a community hub and will have training and storage areas, meeting rooms, change rooms and greater opportunities for use by the wider community.

The old clubhouse, which was built in the 1960s and last underwent major works in 1996, was outdated and in major need of an upgrade.

Point Lonsdale SLSC had also outgrown the facility, with membership growing to more than 1,300 members in 2018-19.

In the 2018/19 patrol season, club members performed five rescues, responded to 14 first aid medical incidents and undertook more than 1,815 preventive actions over 47 patrols.

Construction is expected to be completed by late 2020 in time for next summer’s patrol season.

The state government committed $2.2 million to deliver the facility, combined with $2.25 million from Point Lonsdale SLSC and $1.25 million from the federal government.

This is in addition to the $175,000 temporary facility at Point Lonsdale back beach which replaced the existing lifesaving outpost, which deteriorated and was no longer suitable for lifesavers to use.
The outpost includes first aid facilities, a patrol support room, and storage for the club’s inflatable rescue boat, all-terrain vehicle and other essential patrol items.

“Point Lonsdale SLSC is an integral part of the local community and they’re so deserving of this state of the art multi-million-dollar facility,” Ms Neville said.

“The club has been keeping beachgoers safe for more than 50 years and membership continues to grow – now sitting at more than 1,300 members. These new facilities will help its many loyal members continue their important work.

“We’re giving our lifesavers the resources, tools and equipment they need to keep the community safe.”