CLUB BUILDING HISTORY

The first clubrooms

The first clubrooms, located in front of the camping ground, were built by local volunteer labour in 1949 when the population was less than 400. It was a basic, fibre-clad building intended to house a small contingent of able swimmers, with the key participant being Matt Whyte a 46-year-old Englishman from Newcastle. Matt was all things for the Club – captain, founder, instructor, and president.

Earlier (April 1933) local identities Madeline and Phillip Williamson had kindly donated seven acres of beachfront land to the community as a public facility, today known as Williamson Park.  

Club rooms around 1957

1950s

In 1953, the club started to grow along with the surf lifesaving movement in New Zealand, and through the generosity of the Williamsons the Club relocated to its present location in the Park for a perpetual, “pepper-corn” annual rental.

New clubrooms were built that year and in 1957 extensions were added, including a carport to house an ex-army jeep that had been converted to use as a rescue vehicle. Before that, the surf reel was carried on the back of a club member’s small truck and access to beach areas, via local metal roads, was difficult.

New building foundations underway early mid 1966

1960s

In September 1965, the entire building burnt down. A temporary, small container-like shed was erected, and a large tent placed in the front as a gathering-point for members.

The Club Captain at the time was Derek Somerville, a dedicated and highly competent lifeguard who was solely responsible for many significant rescues in dangerous surf conditions. Derek was also a competent architect and a great fan of the designs being introduced by Lockwood Homes of Rotorua, including the external cladding of the interlocking timber, which provided an opaque, plastic sheet-type finish.

Led by club member Malcolm Lusby, an Auckland builder, an entire new clubrooms was constructed in less than two years. Malcolm not only donated all his own labour, but also that of his tradesmen, including all their accommodation and living expenses. As a result of the extensive volunteer labour, and the generosity of suppliers and the people of Whangamata, the new clubrooms were completed for $30,000 mortgage-free. The original building was 4,500 sq. ft, with the ground floor consisting of a gear-storage area, first-aid room and separate changing rooms, showers and toilets, more or less in the same location as the updated ones we have today.

The upper floor was 1,100 sq. ft and included two rooms of 10 bunks, a kitchen and committee room. The mezzanine balcony housed the tower, also in the same location as it is today.

The finished Clubhouse without the tower deck.
New Clubrooms opened December 1967 by
NZ Surf Life Saving President

In December 1967, Surf Life Saving New Zealand President Alby Veant and Whangamata SLSC President at the time George Webb officially opened the new facility.

The finished clubrooms in 1967 looking from the rear
Clubrooms 1970 after new  addition of new front windows.

2000s

Over the years, key additions have included the current gear shed with upstairs accommodation, and changes to the main clubhouse front decks. In 2017, the bunk-rooms above the gear shed were refurbished to meet both fire and seismic standards, the gear shed was extended, and the main ground floor amenities and first-aid rooms updated, while an annex was added to provide a very necessary room for meetings and junior surf programmes.