SAWTELL Surf Life Saving Club (SSLSC) will receive more than $150,000 to undertake an urgent facility upgrade through the NSW Government’s Surf Club Facility Program.

Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said the funds will be utilised to replace the 40-year-old original tile roof.

Advertise with News of The Area today.
It’s worth it for your business.
Message us.
Phone us – (02) 4981 8882.
Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au

“The 700 square metre roof has been in need of regular maintenance work and urgent replacing for some time.

“The roof is older than Steph and I, so we’re pleased to provide $150,000 to replenish it,” Mr Singh quipped.

“Thanks to this funding boost the surf club’s entire roof will be replaced, with preliminary discussions with local suppliers already under way to get the job done.

“The huge number of visitors we’re seeing over the busy summer period highlights why it’s crucial for our surf clubs to have up-to-date facilities to protect both visitors and locals on our beaches.”

The Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience, Steph Cooke, attended the announcement.

“The work of our volunteers is quite literally life-saving and I’m very grateful for the thousands of rescues they’ve undertaken this summer to protect locals and visitors to our coastline,” said Ms Cooke.

She said that more than 20,000 volunteer lifesavers patrol 129 coastal locations every weekend and public holiday between October and April and that only 26 clubs out of 120 surf clubs across the state were successful in applying for grants.

President of SSLSC, Peter Dawson, thanked Ms Cooke and Mr Singh and said, “The club is 90 years old this year so, as the building ages, a bit of help is very welcome.”

By Andrew VIVIAN