Business South May 2021

| 23 New Brighton Surf Club The new 791sqm two-storey building more than doubles the size of the previous 1960s concrete block clubrooms. DEVELOPMENT B ookending the northern edge of the popular hot pools complex on Marine Parade, New Brighton Surf Life Saving Club‘s (NBSLC) new club rooms will add a new element to the seaside suburb’s beachfront appeal when it is completed later this year. At one hundred and eleven years young NBSLC is the oldest surf life saving club in the country and the youthful, stylish architecture of its new ‘L’ shaped building is a grand com- plement to its environment and the communi- ty it serves. Sitting on land leased from the Christchurch City Council, the new 791sqm two-storey building more than doubles the size of the previous 1960s concrete block clubrooms, which was demolished June last year. Exposed to the elements for the last 60 years, the old building had reached the end of its functional life with its structural steel frame significantly corroded and suffering further damage in the Christchurch earthquakes. Club Committee Member Stu Bryce says with New Brighton’s extensive development underway the club wanted to be part be part of the momentum for change. The pathway to replacement was com- menced and Christchurch practice South By Southeast Architects were engaged. At the heart of the building’s design ethos is a strong desire to forge meaningful connec- tions between the people, the built environ- ment and the local landscape to foster a sense of ownership and community identify. Surf club looks forward to new rooms “First and foremost the building will be used by the club to provide a lifesaving service to the New Brighton community. The whole plan is to make it a better facility to deliver a service to the community,” says Stu. “It will also be used from a membership perspective and training. From there we hope community groups and corporates will make extensive use of the building.” Designed to engage people around and through the building the building’s design is striking from both street and beach sides. “The whole idea was to open the building up and make it as light and airy as possible while structurally strong enough to cater for what we needed and be lockable and secure,” explains Stu. “Our ultimate goal is that it becomes a focal point and a community facility.” Standing on the seaward facing deck an expansive vista is opened up with a coastline stretching all the way up to the Kaikouras and all the way down the coast towards Sumner. The building’s design with a tiered, cascad- ing corner allows beach goers and visitors to sit under shelter and enjoy the sea. Built to 100% of NBS, the new building in- cludes a lift making both levels of the building accessible by all visitors. “The building is larger, better laid out and designed so we can still patrol and function while something else can also happen within the club without getting in each others way.” Ground Floor includes storage shed for the surfboats, surf skis and equipment, a dedicat- ed shed for the IRB’s and equipment, first aid room main entrance, multiuse space along with male and female changing rooms. The upper level includes observation and club area, function area, bar, kitchen, front deck and a rear deck over the sheds, entrance staircase. The $3 million project has been funded from a combination of club reserves, Council contributions and a grant from the Govern- ment’s shovel-ready projects fund. City Care was awarded the project as lead contractors following a competitive tender process. Patrolling New Brighton beach on week- ends and public holidays during the summer season, NBSLC was officially born on the 14th of July 1910. “The ultimate goal would be for the building to open on the 111th birthday — that is a tar- get we would love to have,” says Stu. “It would be a great experience for the oldest surf club in New Zealand to open its brand new build- ing on its birthday.” T Richard Loader Christchurch (03) 344 6458 | Wellington (04) 472 5858 | Auckland ( 09) 307 5851 Email: info@swpcommercial.co.nz | www.swpcommercial.co.nz C O M M E R C I A L Proudly associated with the New Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club’s new clubrooms. Precast Enquiries: www.lanyonandlecompte.co.nz Proudly supporting the New Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club Over 25 Years’ Experience C O N S T R U C T I O N L T D LANYON LE COMPTE & Specialists in: • Thermomass • Concrete Homes • Domestic / Commercial • Precast Concrete • Panels, Beams & Stairs i i l l , i Proud to support Citycare Property and the New Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club Proud to be supporting New Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club’s new clubrooms PH. 03 374 3333 | FAX. 03 374 3330 151 FERRY RD CHRISTCHURCH | ADMIN@HAMPTONS.CO.NZ