State commitment towards Albany Surf Life Saving Club development grows as council backs preferred tenderer

Plans to redevelop the Albany Surf Life Saving Club were given a $500,000 boost from the State Government this week, leading to the council endorsing a preferred tenderer for the project on Tuesday. The latest commitment comes on top of a $1.6 million State Government election commitment to the project as well as a more than $700,000 Lotterywest grant and a $400,000 commitment by the City of Albany. Additional $50,000 commitments from the City and the ASLSC mean the project is expected to now cost more than $3.4m. Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman said he was delighted the Government could provide the extra funding to cover the project shortfall because the club had been “a much-loved part of the community since 1917”. “The Cook Government is proud to fund the expansion of the facility to improve water safety operations through better beach access and new training and education spaces,” he said. “We endorse the building becoming more available to the general community to make this highly valued service for Albany and the Great Southern even more welcoming.” Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens said the club was a unique community organisation that has more than 500 members. “As a lifelong member of the surf club, I know how vital this redevelopment is to meet the operational growth of the club,” she said. At Tuesday’s council meeting the recommended tenderer for the project was unanimously backed by elected members. It comes after tenders first sought for the redevelopment exceeded the project’s original budget, as did subsequently sought tenders. It led the City to request further funding from the State Government, which confirmed its commitment late last week. Cr Paul Terry told the council “it has been a long process” to get to the point of awarding a tender. “The reason we have to increase the amount allocated in the budget is the cost escalation that has happened with most of everything that we are doing,” he said. “It was really good to hear about the extra funding had been confirmed from DLGSC (Department of Local Government, Sport and Communities) as well as the extra $50,000 from the surf life saving club. “I think it’s not too much for us to chip in another $50,000 to make sure we get this project.” Cr Malcolm Traill said it had been “so disappointing” when costs blew out leading to the project’s delay. “The surf club is bursting at the seams, they need more space and need better facilities,” he said. “They are doing a public service, we get a whole lot back from them than they ask of us so it’s a small price to pay. “I was so glad when the news came in that the State Government had seen our plight and tossed in another half a million which I hope will enable this project to go ahead because we are all going to benefit from it.” It is expected the redevelopment will start after the conclusion of this summer’s surf club season.