Significant upgrades are being made to a historic Sunshine Coast surf club.
The final stage of renovations has started at Coolum Surf Club at Coolum Beach.
There will be a new reception area, lift, bathrooms and sports bar area, and improvements to the staircase.
The slanted roof on the north-western side of the club will be removed and raised to match the rest of the roofline. The north-eastern deck will be expanded, with some panelling to help protect the area from weather. Lifesaving storage capabilities will also be improved and expanded.
Hoarding was erected in early February before work started, and it’s hoped the renovation will be complete later this year.
It’s expected that the club will be fully operational again by the September school holidays. It will trade with restricted capacity until then.
Club operations manager Petra Shorter detailed how the renovation could enhance the facility.
“The main feature will be the entry experience: highlighting surf lifesaving, emphasising the purpose of the club and providing a warm and welcoming atmosphere,” she said.
“The repurpose and expansion of the northern deck will also provide more seating space for our members and visitors to enjoy our wonderful view.”
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She said the club, which is the supporting arm of the Coolum Surf Life Saving Club, was determined to continue to play a key role in the region.
“Our main goal is to support lifesaving and provide our dedicated lifesavers and volunteers everything that they need to ensure that our beach remains safe for everyone,” she said.
“The Coolum Surf Club also has a community benefit fund that has been helping support other community aid services in and around Coolum for over 10 years.”
She did not specify how much the works would cost but said the “multimillion-dollar” renovation was self-funded by the club.
Previous stages of the renovation, which started in 2009, included the construction of a new bar in 2013, new kitchen, function room, staff room and restaurant toilets in 2014, and an extension and overhaul of the eastern side of the club in 2019.
“The eastern, southern and western parts of the club have been renovated and built upon to cope with a growing operation,” Ms Shorter said.
“The last part of the club to be altered is this northern part of the club, which these renovations will accomplish.”
The Coolum Surf Club has operated since 1919.
The first purpose-built clubhouse, which cost 300 pounds, was opened in 1936. The current two-storey building was opened in 1984.
The club has about 240 active volunteer lifesavers, more than 200 nippers and more than 20,000 members.
