The finishing touches are being applied to a surf club renovation that has delivered improved facilities for lifesavers and visitors, and sets the stage for a full redevelopment of the venue.
The upgrade of the Kawana Waters Surf Lifesaving Club has transformed the ageing 1980s structure with modern, purpose-built spaces to better support patrols, members and training.
Supporters club president and lifesaving club deputy president Kane Domio said the works were now all but complete, with only the final touches and an elevator installation remaining.
“The new entry foyer was opened on October 10 and the rest of the renovations have been handed over to the surf club,” he said.
“We’re just finishing board and ski racks and other fit-out needs for our gear storage, and the elevator will be installed in the first two weeks of November.”
The $2.4 million project has delivered accessible entry to the surf lifesaving facilities and the supporters club.
“The renovations have also provided a significantly increased space for our lifesaving equipment storage on the ground floor, with offices, meeting rooms and a large training room and members area on the upper floor,” Mr Domio said.
“The space on the upper floor is a perfect space to undertake all our training and will provide a space for our patrolling members and youth group to just hang out and enjoy the views.”
He said lifesaving operations were already benefiting from the new facilities, which were ready for use ahead of the 2025-26 patrol season.
“The build was at a stage where we could start using it to store the bulk of our equipment by the first patrol on September 20,” he said.
“The members are loving the new lifesaving facilities and the general public have been very complimentary of the new entry foyer.
“I think supporters patrons were expecting more for that side of the club, but the focus of these renovations is to supply lifesaving facilities that will allow patrols to continue uninterrupted through the redevelopment of the club.”
The club is also preparing for a larger redevelopment of the club, with plans already in motion.
“The future redevelopment of the club is underway, with an architectural brief currently being prepared, with a hope to get the design process underway by the end of the year,” Mr Domio said.
“We expect construction to commence early in 2027 and are targeting a completion date in the third quarter of 2028.”
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He said the renovation process had run smoothly overall, with only minor weather delays.
“There have been challenges as there are with any build, but the project management team and builder have kept it on track with minimal financial and time impacts,” he said.
“I just want to thank the state government, Surf Life Saving Queensland, Auto and General/Budget Direct and the Kawana Waters RSL Sub-branch for their financial support of the project, as well as all the members and local companies who have helped out with in-kind donations and labour.”
