The Nambucca Heads Surf Lifesaving Clubhouse has been rendered unrecogniseable now, when compared with only one year ago.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The new Committee, with Gary Colston at the helm, has been incredibly proactive in transforming the previously under-utilised space into a bustling hub for the local community, starting with a complete facelift of the building.
But their work is not done yet ... not by a long shot.
"We're powering forward and we want to have a big year this year too," Gary said.
The dream of having a covered balcony to sip a frosty while taking in that million dollar view is one step closer to reality, with the approval of their Development Application.
Getting that approval has been a seven-month battle because the land they plan to build on is jointly owned by Council, the State Government and the Aboriginal Lands Council.
But with that nightmare process behind them, and with $60,000 gathered in community donations, construction can now start on the nearly 16 metre-long, and 5.5 metre-wide deck.
The design of the deck is still fluid, with a decision yet to be made about whether the sides will be a combination of concrete and wire barriers, or sheer glass - for an uninterrupted view.
But the talent is locked in: Wayne Frank of Integrity New Homes has volunteered to oversee the project pro bono. And Gary said new Macksville Hospital contractor Hansen Yuncken has come on board to do the job. Project Manager Josh Crilley has reportedly offered to donate approximately $40,000 worth of labour and materials towards the build.
The project will exclusively use local builders and materials and the expected total costs will come to around $170,000.
The Club is waiting to hear whether they were successful in obtaining a $200,000 State Government infrastructure grant - a sum which would cover the remaining costs of the deck build and go some way towards paying for replacing the roof, fitting it out with solar panels, laying the polished wooden floorboards in the interior, and upgrading the kitchen.
"If we got that, we'd be home and hosed," Gary said.
But they're placing their bets both ways too - Council Grant Officer Teresa Boorer is currently helping them apply for a piece of the State Government's $4 million surf club grant pie.
Geotechnical tests are currently being done ahead of a tentative start date at the end of this month.
"And fingers crossed, if nothing goes wrong, we'll have a new deck in winter," Gary said.
It'll be a godsend for the Club, with function requests rolling in, huge crowds at Sunday sips each fortnight, a full house during special events like this year's Australia Day, and festivals like Saturday's successful Maagunda Gaagal sculpture by the sea event now an attractive prospect.
