A re-elected Liberal National Government will deliver $1.4 million to support Marcoola Surf Life Saving Club to undertake ‘desperately needed’ upgrades to the clubhouse.
A stunning 1,629m2 oceanside bar, bistro and function room are signature features of Marcoola Surf Life Saving Club’s bold redevelopment plans which were announced today.
The multimillion-dollar facility upgrades, which are set to reinvent the community organisation, are one step closer to reality today following a $1.4 million commitment from Federal Member for Fairfax, Ted O’Brien.
“A re-elected Liberal National Government will deliver $1.4 million for the Marcoola Surf Life Saving Club to undertake significant upgrades and renovations to the clubhouse that are desperately needed,” Mr O’Brien said.
“This funding commitment will not just rescue the deteriorating building but will totally reinvent the 2021 Queensland Surf Life Saving Club of the year.
“This commitment is not just great news for the Club, but for the entire community surrounding Marcoola. The revitalised facility would draw more members and provide a larger capacity to generate income which would mean more resources for the Club’s essential lifesaving services and a better offering for tourists. What’s more, locals would have access to a fully renovated top-notch community asset they can be proud of.”
A recent inspection of the Marcoola Surf Life Saving Club revealed the extent of repairs needed for the ageing clubhouse which are said to require urgent attention.
General Manager of Marcoola Surf Life Saving Club, Drew Palmer said that despite the Club’s best efforts to maintain the facility the list of urgent repairs was beginning to stack up.
“The roof is rusting and beginning to peel off in the wind, doors are collapsing on their hinges and hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of rescue equipment is increasingly in jeopardy if we don’t fix the building soon,” Mr Palmer said.
“On behalf of our over 700 clubbies, nippers and volunteers I thank Ted O’Brien for this massive funding commitment and welcome any future funding support for our club.”
“Through years of hard work, we have raised over $1.4 million for this project which would pay for the urgent building repairs needed. But without the additional support from Government, it will be very difficult for us to execute our redevelopment plans and truly future proof our Club.”
The Liberal National Government’s $1.4 million commitment will match the club’s $1.4 million in savings to undertake the multimillion-dollar project which has been designed to naturally and respectfully interface with its natural surroundings.
The club rooms will provide a ‘state of the art’ training room, essential for delivering life saver development, along with enhanced storage for the Club’s essential equipment.
The Supporters Club will provide members and guests with a revitalised functions space that will have the capacity to hold events for over 150 people while ensuring the members can operate independently at the same time.
As a nod to the building’s 1980’s origins, the proposed brick façade will ensure the quintessential Australian Surf Club image remains whilst also providing a materiality that will ensure longevity in the testing coastal conditions.
Mr O’Brien said he was proud to announce the transformational funding boost to the Surf Club’s executive team and a group of volunteers today and pay tribute to the work they do for the community.
“For over 50 years Marcoola Surf Club members have been heroic defenders of our coastline and I’m proud to pay tribute to their selfless service through this funding commitment.”
The Marcoola Surf Life Saving Club currently has 180 active members who patrol the local stretch of beach each year proudly wearing the red and yellow.
Growth over the past two years has bolstered the Club’s ‘nippers’ numbers to 250 with overall support from another 275 volunteers to assist the club to run.
The Supporters Club has over 4,000 members providing valuable contributions through the Club’s bar and bistro areas with all profits being returned directly to essential Surf Life Saving services.
With over 50,000 people visiting the local stretches of beach over the summer months, Marcoola Surf Life Saving volunteers put in over 8,000 hours to ensure everyone remains safe.
The number of rescues performed is quite low based on our preventative actions strategies ensuring we educate people in always staying between the flags so that we can easily see them in case of a rescue situation.
The $1.4 million funding commitment will be delivered by Federal Member for Fairfax, Ted O’Brien MP in the event that a Coalition Government is re-elected.