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Discussions are underway between the Manly Surf Life Saving Club and Northern Beaches Council to begin the process to upgrade facilities at Manly's iconic beach.
At the June Council meeting, Deputy Mayor, Candy Bingham, moved that Council prepare a report on:
A full report is expected to be competed by by October 2018. Some Background on MLSC Established in 1903 Manly Life Saving Club is one of the oldest surf clubs in Australia. It is situated at the iconic Manly Beach where an estimated 2 million people swim each year. The Club is run solely by volunteers, and is the largest on the Northern Beaches with 1975 members, including 705 young nippers and cadets, and 670 patrolling volunteer members. Manly’s volunteer lifesavers performed a total of 16,000 patrol hours and 3,950 water safety hours in the 2017/2018 season. MLSC trains and refreshes credentials of over 800 people each year. Why A New Building? The existing building, which was constructed in 1981, is now totally inadequate for the current needs of the Club, and the community. For example, when the Club was built, there were only 30 patrolling female members, there are now 760! The structure is in an extremely poor condition and provides no disability access. In addition, the public facilities are antiquated and totally inadequate. For example SurfEducate host 200 schools and run 300 sessions on Manly Beach each year, a total of 15,000 students. The Bold & Beautiful and other ocean swimming groups can tally over 600 swimmers on the average summer morning. Even in winter these numbers still remain in the hundreds, seven days a week. And of course there are millions of tourists each year visiting the beach. Some years ago Manly Life Saving Club obtained a Development Approval to substantially remodel the Club, with an estimated budget of $5m required. However, present indications are that a complete rebuilding of the existing structure is required.
13 Comments
Anne Pfeiffer
3/7/2018 07:17:22 am
Yep... the time has come for a total rebuild.
Don Walkere
3/7/2018 07:54:02 am
this is fantastic news Candy, while the existing club has serviced the community well over many years our life savers and their supporters deserve a building worthy of the fantastic contribution these people make to our community. This is once again an example of your support for the local community, something other councillors should take note of.
T. Reeve
3/7/2018 10:50:24 am
Educating school children on the dangers & enjoyment of the surf is a wonderful thing. I'm just wondering if Surf Educate is a privately owned commercial business being run out of Manly SLS Club?
Candy Bingham
3/7/2018 01:05:41 pm
You are right. Surf Educate are a private group that pay council an annual fee. Wonderful to kids from all over getting the chance to learn about the surf.
Stephen Coulter
3/7/2018 11:43:40 am
The clubhouse from 1930's to 1980's was iconic as seen in the max Dupain photos. Direct beach access so no boats, skis crossing and huge public potential. Design contest for the best location on the best beach in the world is a great idea! 3/7/2018 11:47:03 am
That is wonderful news Candy. I would love to be able to run some workshops and classes in there if that is an option for the public. Previously I was told only club members can run classes and I am not a club member.....perhaps I will join when there is a fabulous new building. North Steyne Surf Club has had the doors to the deck barred for over a year now and upgrade imminent for that club too?
Anne Maria Nicholson
3/7/2018 07:28:35 pm
Yes, it’s time! Public amenities there embarrassing. Great idea for a design competition....should attract top architects. Go Candy!
jim
4/7/2018 04:50:04 pm
What an opportunity to have a restaurant and bar which the Club wanted only a few years ago when the building was last 'upgraded' !
Roger Dawson
6/7/2018 04:29:41 am
Could coin operated lockers be part of the plan? The last council failed to fund lockers for the "Bold & Beautiful."
Candy Bingham
6/7/2018 08:50:50 am
In the past there were issues with vandalism and lack of space for lockers. Would be good to this to be reviewed in the new design.
JSP
20/7/2018 10:39:20 am
AGREED! TIME TO REDESIGN AND UPGRADE. WHAT WOULD ALSO BE GREAT IS TO INCLUDE IN THE REMAKE A BONDI ICEBERG STYLE RESTAURANT ON THE UPPER LEVEL. WHAT A PERFECT LOCATION FOR IT.
Cee Gee
25/7/2018 01:55:54 pm
will there be a review of the lease that the MLS Club has with Council? Previously it was the only club that had a commercial lease with the former Manly Council with the agreement that the Club retained all the revenue from the use of its hall and from the lease of the cafe. In addition this also meant that the Club had control over the bookings and use of the club premises, unlike the other Surf Clubs where bookings were made through the Council. The only Council controlled sections of the building is the area where the Council lifeguards work out of (why this was agreed to is anyones guess!!) and the public toilets on the road side of the building.
Candy Bingham
29/7/2018 06:52:18 pm
Council is in the process of reviewing all 21 leases/licences held by the Surf Clubs on the Northern Beaches with the view to bringing them all in line under one standard lease for all. Leave a Reply. |
AuthorCandy Bingham, Deputy Mayor & Manly Ward Councillor on Northern Beaches Council. Background in marketing, public relations and community engagement. Author of five business books. Former Lady Mayoress of Sydney. Aka Candy Tymson. ........................................
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