We have had substantial progress with this project since last year’s report. Thanks to a further injection of funds required to match the builder’s quote, construction is now well under way!
Smith Construction was awarded the contract in late 2023 and have been onsite since February 2024. The project now has a budget of over $3m and we are extremely grateful to our funding bodies and partners:
- The Western Australian Government who contributed an extra $500,000 to take their total funding to $2.1m
- Lotterywest with $704,000
- City of Albany who contributed an extra $50,000 to take their cash contribution to $350,000 plus, in-kind support including managing the project on our behalf
- Jack Family Trust have committed to $150,000 towards the fitout of the new building
- Ourselves, Albany Surf Life Saving Club also committed an extra $50,000 – taking our contribution to $200,000.
As all members will be aware, this project has been underway for many years in one form or another. It is pleasing that all the effort made has now borne fruit and we are very excited to see the build underway. The Project Team is very grateful for the efforts of many members during the partial move out last year and the full move out early this year – many thanks!
The upgraded building will certainly enhance everything that we do, and I expect, provide substantial benefits for the broader community. Again, my thanks to all those members who participated in the various workshops and provided valuable advice along the way. There will be some further opportunities to contribute when we come to the fitout.
Completion of the building is due by the end of the calendar year unless we are hit with delays, which is always possible. Following this, we will then fit the club out with a new AV system, canteen equipment, new office, community room and storage for all areas of the building. We will certainly be in by the 2025/26 season, but hopefully we might be operating from our upgraded club building towards the end of this coming 2024/25 season. Stay tuned!
Ongoing thanks go to Rob Mason for his commitment and leadership in delivering this project. This has been an enormous undertaking and the club are very, very grateful.
