$6.6 million futuristic-looking building approved for Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club
A new two-storey, multi-million dollar surf lifesaving club building on Sydney’s northern beaches was approved on Wednesday afternoon, which will feature a restaurant, cafe, gym and more.
Work will start on Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club’s $6.6 million new home this winter after planning bosses gave the project the green light this afternoon.
The North Sydney Planning Panel unanimously approved the futuristic-looking proposal which is expected to be open to the public in winter 2020.
Club president Bryce Munro said it was a huge win for the club and wider community.
“We’re absolutely delighted,” he said. “This is more than just a surf life saving club, it is somewhere for the whole community.
“We’re really excited.”
The two-storey building will be built on the site of the existing club on Surfview Rd.
It will feature changing and training facilities for club members as well as spaces for the wider community.
There will be a cafe on the ground floor of the eastern side of the building.
There will also be a gym, canteen and public bathrooms.
On the first floor there will be a restaurant, function room, members lounge and other facilities.
Concerns had previously been raised about the lack of parking — particularly with the restaurant included. The new club will result in the loss of up to three car park spaces.
However, the applicant said the reduction is “negligible” due to the number of spaces available in the immediate vicinity.
Club life member David Sinclair said the facility was not only good news for the club but also the wider community.
“It is a community space … what we have tried to achieve is a space for the community where elections can be held, people can have their yoga and pilates and whatever, mothers’ groups can come and they can have a space that is a whole lot better than the humble, rusty building we are in at the moment.”
Club member Ralph Stonell said the new facility would also provide space for around 200 local Boardriders.
“That’s something we really wanted to incorporate,” he said.
Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club currently has around 1300 members of which 500 are nippers.
Mr Stonell added that the development would help accommodate hundreds more.
“Even though we already have 1300 members we expect in the next 10 years to probably be the biggest club on the northern beaches.
“From my perspective as a parent, as a resident, as a beachgoer and a Surfrider, I think the facility provides a great community hub.”
“This is a place for the whole community,” Mr Munro said. “On a Saturday morning we have the local swimmers down here. The local walkers, the surfers, the surf club members and the local cyclists.
“This is going to create a place where people can come and live a healthy lifestyle.”
Mr Munro said work would start in June or July this year and it would take 12 to 14 months to complete.
Given the facility is being built on the site of the old club, members will be without a home during that period.
“We see that as a short term pain for a long term gain,” Mr Munro said.
He added: “I would also like to say how good the collaboration with the council has been. You hear things about how working with local government is difficult but everyone to date has been exceptional.”
Last year the NSW Government announced it was providing $3.9 million in funding towards the new facility.
Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan said: “It’s fantastic news that the Sydney North Planning Panel has approved the DA.
“The redevelopment is long awaited and I can’t wait to share with the community this new modern building.
Thanks to Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club who have worked closely with council...and a special thanks to Member for Pittwater, Rob Stokes for securing additional funding to make this project possible.”
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