Lotterywest grant contributes to Swanbourne Nedlands Surf Life Saving Club upgrades

A $500,000 grant from Lotterywest will contribute to upgrading changeroom, storage and training facilities at Swanbourne Nedlands Surf Life Saving Club.

Contributions to the renovation have also been made by Swanbourne Nedlands Surf Life Saving Club and local, Western Australian and Federal governments.

Swanbourne Nedlands Surf Life Saving club has seen a dramatic growth in membership over the past year, however, the existing facilities were struggling to cope with the expansion.

With women now making up almost 50% of the club's members, the revamp will include private changeroom and shower facilities, to better accommodate women and children taking part in the club's 'Woodside Nippers' program, and the addition of a separate family room.

The funding will also pay for improvements to training spaces, lifesaving equipment storage, and replacement of the ageing roof.

Western Australian Volunteering Minister Reece Whitby notes "Surf lifesaving is one of the great traditions of Australian life and volunteers are the backbone of the surf lifesaving movement - assisting with training, competition and keeping our beaches safe.

"Western Australian families love their beaches and appreciate the service given by the State's surf life savers, so it is terrific that the community can give back.

"The growing involvement of women in the surf lifesaving movement is great to see and the integration of family facilities in the Swanbourne Nedlands Surf Life Saving Club facilities will help ensure an active membership for generations to come."

Demands on volunteers at the Swanbourne Nedlands Surf Life Saving Club increased after travel restrictions saw local beaches become even more popular.

The club's statistics recorded an almost 100% jump in beach use in peak times over the past year, which has increased the demand for water safety and rescue services.

Image courtesy swannysurfclub.org.au/about/