Manly Life Saving Club updated concept designs released: estimated cost at $18-$20 million
The designs, costed by Council at an estimated total project cost of $18m – $20m, (noting that the project is currently at concept stage only), present a 3-storey concept for the Manly Life Saving Club to provide a new purpose-built facility to support the needs of the 3.5 million people who visit Manly Beach each year.
Council states the proposed new building will be fit-for-purpose and provides:
- wider access and improved public thoroughfare at the Marine Parade pinch point and additional undercover space by pulling the ground floor back in this area
- new public amenities including 5 additional toilet facilities (3 unisex, 1 family and 1 accessible in addition to existing facilities) and additional showers
- improved provision for Council professional lifeguards including direct line of sight to the beach and access to drone facilities
- watercraft and lifesaving equipment storage, enabling all watercraft to be removed from the promenade
- provision for volunteer lifesaver training facilities required to meet emergency services requirements
- retention of a multipurpose function room available for community hire
- improved facilities and access for people living with disability or limited mobility with the addition of a lift and wheelchair compliant structure
- equitable amenities and facilities for female volunteers
- improved options for Bold & Beautiful Swim Squad and other swimmers for bag storage
- retention of all heritage-listed Norfolk Pines
- sustainability measures including solar panels, a green roof and passive energy design
- retention of the kiosk/cafe
Council states the concept plans have been informed by extensive investigation of the site and constraints, user analysis, 3 rounds of community consultation, a community working group and stakeholder liaison. Council will now finalise the design and prepare all the documents to submit for Development Application (DA) later this year (late 2024).
''The new fit-for-purpose facility will serve a new generation of lifesaving personnel while providing improved access and facilities for locals and visitors. '' he NBC states
''The new concepts addresses the issues with the building which is a product of its time - inadequate facilities for people living with disabilities, poor facilities for female volunteers and with amenities that can’t meet the demand.''
''Council has invested time and resources to explore the best to approach to improving the building so it meets the needs of the diverse user groups.
Early advice indicated that renovation would be more costly and less effective. The location and associated constraints of the beachfront and rear sewer easement mean there are limitations with what can be done with the site.
The result is an innovative design which replicates as much as possible the existing footprint, while shifting to the north on the ground floor outside of the sewer easement and only expanding by approximately 10%, while incorporating requests of the club, volunteers, swim clubs and community.''
The design also allows a greater connection between the public and club operations, with foyer access open during the day, visibility into operational areas and club memorabilia and history on display whilst local and visitors grab a coffee from the kiosk.
The community will be able to provide further feedback during the DA exhibition period. The DA will be reviewed and determined by the independent Sydney North Local Planning Panel. Once approved, the DA will improve opportunities to secure additional grant funding to complete the project.''
The project currently has $11 million funding allocated through the Federal Government ($5m grant), State Government ($1m grant) and Council ($5m).
Final design and contractor procurement is subject to DA outcomes and funding, setting a commencement of build date in 2025 at the earliest and currently stated as representing a shortfall of between $7 and $9 million at this stage.
Temporary life guarding and public amenities will be provided nearby during the construction. Council states it is are aware this will be a sensitive matter and will look to minimise its size where possible.
The new building proposes a partial third storey in the north-eastern corner, enclosure of the rear southwestern corner that is currently an uncovered storage area, and an expansion to the northwest corner over the promenade. The existing two large pine trees will remain and the potential separate building for the public amenities is no longer proposed.
The proposed design aims to minimise expansion while maximising functionality. It shifts the ground floor to the north to avoid a sewer easement and increases the overall footprint by approximately 10%.
Residents can view the updated designs, and associated information, on Council's Manly Life Saving Club project webpage.
