Anglesea clubhouse in final stages

ANGLESEA Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) is counting down the weeks until the redevelopment of its clubhouse is complete.

Club president Tom Cullen said he was pleased to see the building was still on schedule despite the difficulties caused by the coronavirus.

“It’s progressing well. We are probably looking at a September/October finish at this stage.

“We hope the current restrictions from a COVID perspective don’t impact on the project. It’s probably not so much from a workers’ perspective, it’s probably more from a supply chain perspective.

“We’ve got to do a few things once the builders are finished in terms of fit-out, but we hope to have it done over the coming months.”

The original facility was constructed almost 60 years ago when the club had about 200 members.

Extensions have been added over the years to account for the club’s growing numbers, but with about 1,500 members at the club now, a substantial redevelopment has become necessary.

Anglesea SLSC building redevelopment chair Peter Williams said the redeveloped clubhouse had been designed to serve the community as well as the club’s members.

“It’s also a community facility, so it’s there for the community as well as the club. It is there as a facility that can be used by facility groups, whether it be meetings, weddings, educational use, use by other clubs.

“Upstairs there are three quite large meeting rooms. It can be one big room, or it can be divided up into three, so it is perfect for training typed facilities, catering for meetings and things like that.”

Mr Cullen said the clubhouse would be a space for all to enjoy.

“We welcome the entire community to be involved or participate or even visit the club and be involved in whatever way possible. You don’t have to be a member and there’s a variety of different ways that people can interact.”

The new clubhouse but will also more accessible first aid facilities and easier ambulance access.

Mr Cullen said this would mean the club could also serve the community by making their beaches even safer.

“Principally it’s an operations and training extension or upgrade of what was previously there to provide public safety facilities and infrastructure to support ensuring that the community and visitors are safe on our beaches, and working with other emergency services as the needs arise.”

The project’s total cost is about $5 million. The state government and federal government each contributed $1.5 million grants to the project, while the Surf Coast Shire council also provided $250,000. The remaining $1.75 million was raised by the club through donations from its members and supporters.

Mr Williams said there had been a lot of work put into getting the building to this stage.

“I think the first plan dates back to 2009, so it’s taken over 10 years to get to this point.”