One of the key people behind a lifesaving club’s rejuvenation hopes its headquarters can be completely rebuilt.
Advocates of Peregian Beach Surf Life Saving Club were delighted to be involved in the club’s revival this season, after financial difficulties forced its closure for eight years.
They worked hard to foster nippers, patrols and supporters, and they refurbished the clubhouse in Peregian Beach Park.
But the dated building, once described as the third-worst surf lifesaving clubhouse in the state, is worn and set back from the beach.
It can host functions but does not have a fully fledged hospitality section.
Peregian Family and Friends founder and president Leigh McCready, who was behind the drive to revive the club, said a more effective and suitable base was required.
“I think we not only need to knock it down but move it to where you can easily access the beach in an emergency,” she said.
The clubhouse is about 130m from the ocean and giant pine trees obscure the view.
Ms McCready said club members at the venue should “have passive surveillance from the deck for off-duty vigilance”.
She also said members and guests should be able “to enjoy ocean views, which will make the club financially sustainable as it relies on income from upstairs”.
But Ms McCready said any rebuild was still a fair way off.
“It would require the State Government changing the lease area we are allowed to operate the club from, so this is a long-term project.”
Fundraising has started but it could prove to be a costly exercise.
“The Sunshine Beach club (9km to the north) cost $8m to $9m to rebuild but ours would be smaller, maybe $5m,” Ms McCready said.
“It will depend on materials and labour costs of construction, which are currently sitting about 20 to 25 per cent above normal due to COVID.”
Peregian Family and Friends recently presented an $80,000 cheque to the club, to be put towards the construction of a new building.
“This is seed funding from the community for the surf club to set aside,” Ms McCready said.
“But it will take grants from one or more of the three levels of government plus a bank loan and more fundraising to get it happening.”
The club was initially formed by local lifesavers in 1962 but was disbanded in 1974 when a cyclone destroyed its small clubhouse.
Community support led to a rejuvenation in 1984 and a new clubhouse in 1988.
It was expanded and then renovated with a bank loan, before the club folded in 2014 after it struggled to pay its debts amid competition from cashed-up clubs.
But it was given the green light to operate again by Surf Life Saving Queensland and Noosa Council, after it proved it had the support of the community, with a foundation of juniors and volunteers. It now boasts a surf lifesaving club, with a supporters club.
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