OCEAN Grove Surf Lifesaving Club will get the remaining funds for its long-awaited upgrade after a bi-partisan $1m election pledge ensured the club would receive a grant even before Saturday’s election.
The official result of the election was still in the balance when the Voice went to print although it is likely that Sarah Henderson will retain the seat of Corangamite.
Regardless of the final result, both Liberal and Labor made bi-partisan promises to the club last week.
Club president Steve Peatling welcomed announcements from the Corangamite candidates for the two major parties, which will allow the $4m development to go ahead.
“We’ve been lobbying hard for it over the last few years – this really gets us over the line,” he said.
Mr Peatling was confident the upgrade would start just after Easter next year and said tenders would go out very soon.
The club received $2.675m from the State Government for the project, as well as raising $300,000 itself.
The club’s membership has doubled over the past decade, but it has struggled to meet the patrol needs of Victoria’s most-used beach, due to its deteriorating clubrooms.
The project will include a new training room and storage facilities, increased access, and relocated changerooms, restrooms and catering areas.
Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson was first to announce $1m for the club in the lead-up to the Federal Election.
“Having worked closely with the club over a number of years, I am delighted to be making this commitment,” she said.
“The new facilities will support the club’s great work for the community.”
ALP Corangamite candidate Libby Coker matched the pledge on 28 June.
“I’ve spoken to the club and they’re overjoyed – as you could imagine,” she said.
Ms Coker said the bi-partisan commitment would “enable Ocean Grove residents to look at the bigger picture” when they decided which party should govern Australia.
