Grant will help pay for club revamp

EMMA SPILLETT
espillett@kiamaindependent.com.au

KIAMA Surf Life Saving Club has been given a State Government grant to start what they have dubbed their “100th anniversary refurbishment”.

The $231,846 grant will be used to upgrade the club’s facilities, including renovations to the front end, sun deck and radio room.

Member for Kiama Matt Brown was on hand to present the club with the cheque and is confident the money will be put to good use.

“As a patrol member of Kiama Surf Club, I can appreciate how important this Government funding is in helping the club to provide top quality facilities for our dedicated surf-lifesavers,” Mr Brown said.

The surf club facilities were originally built in the 1970s and have only had minor changes in recent years.

Club Treasurer Pat Sutton said that the money would be spent on overhauling the club’s facilities, making them fresh, modern and attractive.

“We plan to do the front end, balcony and sun deck in glass so we will be pulling down all the old concrete and doing some painting,” he said.

“The sun deck will also get a refurbishment with new seating, umbrellas and barbecues as we are hoping to make it so that other groups can access it.”

The club’s radio room will also be renovated with new carpet, windows and much-needed air-conditioning.

“This room is manned basically 9am to 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays during the season and it gets pretty hot, so the renovation will definitely be welcomed,” he said.

Club members also have plans to improve security with the replacement of garage doors that hold most of the club’s equipment.

President Nick McInerney said the renovations were necessary to bring the club in line with existing legislative standards.

“All the refurbishment has been designed to bring the club up-to-date with legislation and OHS standards to ensure the safety of all members.”

The refurbishment work will start before the end of the year and will take about 12 months to complete.