Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service patrol captain Kent Jarman discusses the start of a new era for the Mount Lifeguard Service - construction of a new $3 million clubhouse.
A sledgehammer was wielded to symbolise the start of a new era for the Mount Lifeguard Service - construction of a new $3 million clubhouse.
Life member and patrol captain Kent Jarman smashed holes in the side of the present clubhouse yesterday in a ceremony attended by many of the club's old identities.
It was fitting that Jarman, a builder, should land the first blow on the old building, having spent the past 30 years of his 53-year lifeguarding career helping to maintain the clubhouse.
He described the old clubhouse as a series of compromises that began life as a small building. It was added to and added to again as the club grew, to the point where it leaked and was no longer fit-for-purpose.
Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service patrol captain Kent Jarman smashes the first holes in the clubhouse soon to be demolished and replaced by a new $3 million building. Photo/George Novak
At first, the club was going to use the existing basement as the foundations for a new building until, to the relief of the architect, it was decided that this too would be a compromise.
Instead, it was decided to go for a total rebuild, opening the way for a world-class facility, with more room for rescue and response gear, Jarman said.
"There will be better storage for critical life-saving equipment."
Although the new building is not due to open until December, Jarman hopes the basement will be ready for the start of the new lifeguard season in October.
Mount Maunganui Surf Lifesaving Club's original clubhouse, an ex-army hut (foreground) circa the early 1930s, with the Oceanside Hotel prominent in the background. Photo / Supplied
Yesterday's ceremony coincided with the last day of voluntary patrols for the 2017-18 season and the handing over of the site to builders today.
Club chairman Paul Manning said it was a historic day that was the end of an era as well as the start of an exciting new era.
"It will be a state-of-the-art facility that will do us very proud indeed."
The remaining challenge is to raise the $700,000 needed to complete the building. Manning is optimistic the club will find the money. "We are realistic in our expectations."
Fundraising for a building that will future-proof the club will be geared towards members and the community at large.
Manning said the Mount Lifeguard Service is one of the busiest, if not the busiest, club in New Zealand and the old clubhouse is no longer fit-for-purpose or weather tight.
"It is an exciting phase in the history of the club. It will be fantastic to celebrate our 90th birthday with a new state-of-the-art building."
What the Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service's new clubhouse will look like when construction finished in about nine months. Photo/George Novak
One of the long-serving club members who attended yesterday's ceremonial wall-bashing was Graham Barnett, 85. He joined the club in 1953 and was still on active lifeguard duties until three or four years ago.
"The beach has not changed much, but everything else has," he said, looking across to where condominiums had replaced humble beach baches.
When Barnett joined, a lot of new members were being recruited from the emerging surfboard scene. It meant that with surfers out the back of the beach and lifeguards operating from the beach using belts and reels, they had swimmers covered.
The club's beach vehicle was a cut-down 1930s Morris 12 with semi-inflated tyres and a reel bolted on the back. It gave them the flexibility to rescue people who got into trouble well down the coast.
Barnett said the club was always a nice place to come to. "I made a lot of good friends. The club spirit has never changed, and I don't think it will ever change because people are here for a reason and that's to save lives."
