SUMMER is coming, and the Tea Gardens Hawks Nest Surf Life Saving Club has been busy preparing for it during the off-season.
Upgrades to the life saver facilities are nearing completion in time for the club’s Registration Open Day at Bennetts Beach on Sunday 21 September.
Volunteer building manager David Lau showed News Of The Area how things are going, including the new first aid room and Operations Centre, which have come together as a result of grants from both state and federal government.
The Surf Club and its members are looking forward to visits in the coming week from both State MP Kate Washington and Federal MP Alison Penfold.
“These newly purpose-refurbished rooms were originally just a cornered-off part of the equipment shed, somewhat provincial,” Mr Lau explained.
“It now has proper internal walls and flooring, a decent false ceiling to contain all the necessary cables, and facilities to make life savers’ jobs that much more practical.”
The Operations Desk has a commanding view down to the beach, while the new First Aid area has a privacy wall, patient bed, and newly located AED.
“Later on, we hope to upgrade the watchtower outside with a drone landing platform,” David said.
Mere metres away outside, a forest of Acrow Props has sprouted beneath the surf club’s balcony, a situation that David understands may be cause for concern by those coming to see the beautiful beach view.
“Sixteen Acrow Props currently reinforce the underside of the surf club’s balcony, all of them load-bearing, but they are a temporary measure,” David explained.
“The propping enables the balcony above to be used as it was before, allowing the clubhouse to be used at its usual capacity with no weight restrictions on the outdoor upstairs area.”
“It is completely safe now with the Props, and additional structural strengthening options are currently being costed and considered by the landlord and the Club.”
Ground-penetrating radar has been employed to generate a very clear understanding of what is going on inside the balcony’s concrete, including the condition of the reo,
Sadly, not all news is good at the Club with a large “Beach Closed” sign along with three orange cones, apparently stolen from the southern main pedestrian entrance.
They were placed there at the beginning of the foul weather this winter, to warn people about the dangerous drop-off, but are now lost to the volunteer club.
SLSC volunteers will be swarming the clubhouse on Sunday to help new and old members join up, and to answer any questions about joining Patrol Teams or Nippers.
By Thomas O’KEEFE
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