Restoration breathes new life into iconic Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club

1 May 2021

Waverley Council in partnership with Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) will on Monday 3 May mark the start of the restoration and upgrade of the iconic surf club building with head contractor Lloyd Group and Chrofi Architects.

Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos, said the clubhouse restoration and upgrade will provide significantly improved amenities to cater to the needs of modern surf lifesaving as well as public education and engagement with the community.

“Tamarama's volunteer members have provided a valuable community service for more than 110 years and this restoration and upgrade will help fulfil the club’s vision to be a vibrant, sustainable and growing club,” Mayor Masselos said.

“The new clubhouse will remain within the existing footprint of this local landmark, and this factor is crucial in the design and sympathetic to the needs of the community.”

The restoration and upgrade is expected to take 12 months to complete, weather permitting. It will provide:

  • Improved facilities for female members
  • Improved vantage points for beach surveillance during patrols
  • Additional storage space for rescue equipment
  • improved areas for education and training activities such as First Aid courses
  • Offer broader use by community groups and members of the public
  • addresses acoustic bleed to neighbouring properties
  • improved environmental sustainability

Although not heritage listed, the much-loved and recognisable façade of the surf club building will be retained in the restoration and upgrade project which was approved in 2013 by the Waverley Local Planning Panel.

Tamarama SLSC President, Tim Murray, said the restoration and upgrade will enable the Club to continue serving the community through lifesaving patrols, education programs and clubhouse access for community groups.

“This upgrade will breathe new life into our club and reflects how important a role the club plays in the wider community, with the new clubhouse providing broader use by community groups and members of the public,” Mr Murray said.

Tamarama SLSC was established in 1906 and boasts 350 members and counting. It was one of the clubs that helped develop rescue equipment used by lifesavers including the former line and reel, and rescue board.

The project is jointly funded by Waverley Council, Tamarama Surf Life Saving Club, Surf Life Saving NSW state funding and Community Infrastructure federal funding.

Lloyd Group is also the head contractor for Waverley Council’s heritage restoration of the Boot Factory Building in Spring St, Bondi Junction. The Council is transforming the three-storey building at the rear of Norman Lee Place into a civic innovation hub of the future designed by award-winning Surry Hills architectural firm, Archer Office.

Media are invited to attend the opening of construction at 2.30pm, Monday 3 May at Tamarama Surf Club, 1 Pacific Avenue, Tamarama. To RSVP, contact media@waverley.nsw.gov.au or 0416 075 532.

For more about the project, visit waverley.nsw.gov.au/tamasurfclub

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