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Ōrewa Surf Lifesaving saw a big box ticked when it received building consent for its new clubrooms and community hub on March 8.
Fundraising committee chair, John Chapman, says it was a huge relief to get the news from Auckland Council.
Before any actual building can commence, however, the club needs to have the full $8.5 million that the project is estimated to cost in the bank.
Currently it has the $2 million granted by council last year, and “a couple of hundred thousand” of the club’s money, Chapman says.
Fundraising has been ongoing for a while, but many grants and sponsorships may not be confirmed until later this year, including a chunk from Surf Lifesaving NZ.
GJ Gardener will also auction a home it is building in Milldale, with proceeds going to the club (HM November 13, 2023).
Chapman says having the building consent for the clubrooms approved strengthens applications to potential funders and sponsors.
They are going through pre-tendering process now and hope to have appointed a contractor for the build by June.
“That means we can sit down and work with them to potentially get more cost savings,” Chapman says.
He says it will also save money if the club can retain its current base until the new one is built. If that’s not possible, it could mean spending around $200,000 on vacating the building and renting portacoms and containers so it can operate its lifesaving service during construction. Info: www.orewasurflifesavingcommunityhub.co.nz
