Port Kembla Surf Life Saving Club to turn into beachfront restaurant Port Vista

A popular Illawarra surf club is set for a bougie renovation to turn it into the region’s next waterfront restaurant.

Port Kembla Surf Living Saving Club is set to tranform into one of the Illawarra’s finest dining experiences overlooking the beach.

The Port SLSC will be turned into Port Vista, a venue focused on locals, beachgoers and visitors by day and diners from across the region by night.

Port Vista is proposed to offer casual and a la carte wining and dining with a capacity of around 200 patrons seated inside and out.

The surf club would remain based at the venue with the development application lodged with Wollongong Council stating the “elegant and sympathetic renovations” would enhance the building as a public asset by making it more attractive to locals, beachgoers and tourists.

Port Kembla SLSC looks over one of the Illawarra’s best beaches. Picture: Wollongong Council

“The prescribed use of the building will in essence change,” the application read.

“However, we believe this will enhance the local community in a controlled manner due to the structured and permanent occupancy.”

Ali Lucato and Andrew Zafiropoulo are the owners of Port Vista and the Illawarra couple will manage the restaurant.

Ms Lucato and Mr Zafiropoulo have managed licensed venues, with Ms Lucato running 80 Bar & Cafe in Ultimo after she took over the role from Mr Zafiropoulo in 2018.

Port Kembla SLSC David Erskine president said the process had been arduous but he was confident it would not be too long until first drinks at Port Vista.

“I’ve been president for 15 or 16 years and I’ve always wanted to get this sort of thing going,” he said.

“We’ve been dealing with the council for the last 12 months sorting out the DAs for changing use of the hall. We were hoping to be up and running last August, but after having a few curly balls thrown at us by council we’re hoping to be going around July.

“As soon as we’re approved for change of use, the renovations will get done and we’ll be into it.”

The proposed internal design of the Port Vista restaurant. Picture: Port Vista Pty Ltd

The building, which is the property of the council, will still be the home of Port SLSC and Mr Erskine believes the proposed restaurant will be a significant boost for the club and the suburb.

“The main reason we are doing it is to attract new members,” Mr Erskine said.

“We want to attract more people to the beach and any money we get from it will go into our members.

“Part of the deal is that a certain percentage of the building will be a hall available for the surf club and we’ll also be responsible for the upkeep of the building and its surroundings.

“It’s going to be great. It’s a great spot and all the locals have been hanging out for this sort of thing. It’ll be somewhere nice to go with good food and drink.”

The development application is on exhibition until Tuesday, February 15.