We need all our members and the wider Manly community to provide input into the planned renovations and upgrade to our Clubhouse.
As part of the building process, the Northern Beaches Council (“Council”) is seeking community input to the North Steyne Surf Life Saving Club renovations. Follow this link to Council’s website: North Steyne Surf Club Masterplan | Your Say Northern Beaches (nsw.gov.au).
You can also email Council directly on [email protected].
Please post your comments before 29th October.
The North Steyne building renovation project has been underway since 2020. To date the project has involved many meetings with Council, reports from and meetings with heritage architects, concept brief and drawings submitted, a commissioned detailed room specification report, and consultation with members.
Through this process, the North Steyne Board has identified key priorities for the renovation of our Clubhouse. We encourage you to think about and use some of the outlined priorities in your comments to Council.
Since 1907, North Steyne has provided essential lifesaving services through a team of committed volunteers. We were the first surf lifesaving club on the Northern Beaches, and are second oldest club in Australia. Our traditions are strong, and our lifesaving expertise is second to none.
Our Clubhouse is an iconic landmark in Manly which was built in 1936, with the last major renovations taking place in the 1960s. A lot has changed since that time and we are greatly challenged by our current facilities given the growth of our membership base (in both numbers and diversity), compliance and safety requirements, state of repair and operational needs of a modern lifesaving organisation.
We need a Clubhouse which enables us to engage and service the community whilst continuing the cultural legacy of surf lifesaving on Manly Beach.
The Club’s vision is to revitalise the existing Clubhouse to:
- Create a fit for purpose, modern surf lifesaving club and community facility;
- Ensure access for all abilities to drive diversity, inclusion and community spirit;
- Respect the heritage aspect of the building and natural surroundings so it continues to be a key landmark;
- Allow for health and fitness to be a key functional element;
- Accommodate into the future our growing membership and range of Club activities;
- Support the Club’s long term financial sustainability by creating opportunities for revenue generation;
- Enable better community access whilst creating special spaces for members;
- Showcase the Club’s history, long lifesaving tradition and protect valuable artifacts;
- Be resilient and withstand the impacts of sea level change, storms and other coastal hazards.
Specifically, this means we would like the building to provide:
- More storage for lifesaving, training and Nippers equipment which is easily and directly accessible from the beach;
- Fit-for-purpose first aid facilities and easy access to and movement of patrol equipment for rapid deployment;
- Better visibility and operational access for the Council lifeguards;
- Space for storing and servicing large lifesaving equipment such as an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), jetski and Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRB);
- Building design to take advantage of the wonderful beach location and make it an exceptional venue for hire;
- Larger balcony areas for functions and events and to monitor the beach during lifesaving patrols, competitions or events;
- Use of roof space to maximise the useable space within the existing building footprint and potentially provide a special members’ area;
- Designated area for food service, including a catering kitchen and better waste management;
- DDA and easy access to the building from the promenade and the beach;
- Improved gym to allow for natural light, good ventilation and beach views;
- High-quality dedicated rooms for Club operations, meetings, training and functions;
- Clean, safe and private changing rooms for members;
- Clean, safe bathrooms for the public.
These are some of our priorities. We encourage you to use these and add your own ideas in the comments section of the Have Your Say website page by 29 October 2023.
Follow this link to Council’s website: North Steyne Surf Club Masterplan | Your Say Northern Beaches (nsw.gov.au)
Or you can also email Council directly on [email protected].