The new Tairua Surf Life Saving clubhouse was officially opened on December 3.
President Betsie Warner said the club, which has between 250 and 300 members, had planned for the new clubhouse for more than a decade.
“Our original building was a 1950s state house from the King Country district, and in the 60s it was moved on to become the Tairua Surf Life Saving Club,” she said.
“[It was] full of asbestos and no hot running water, so it’s been something we’ve been after for quite some time.
“With the government’s shovel-ready projects coming out of the Covid response fund, funds became available for us to develop our clubhouse.”
Betsie said the club also received financial support from Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Trust Waikato and was yet to confirm the total costs of the project.
“Hot water is one of the exciting features, we have a purpose-built first aid room and we’re filling it with state of the art gear, which is going to enable our guys and girls to do their work in times of need which will be great for the Tairua community,” she said.
Betsie said the new clubhouse also featured a purpose-built patrol room and a training room which could also be used for meetings.
Betise said the opening was “a fantastic day” with “great” community support.
“We had the honourable Stuart Nash, MBIE representatives, Coromandel MP Scott Simpson, and dignitaries,” she said.
“Speeches were fantastic and the feedback from the day was that it was a great success, so we’re really happy about it.”
