Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club president David Pavia is confident the new patrol tower will open for the season’s first summer surf patrol in December.
Ocean Grove SLSC volunteer patrols commence on Saturday 1 December at Ocean Grove main beach and will continue to run on weekends and public holidays through to 14 April, 2019.
Paid lifeguards will patrol during weekdays from early December through to the start of February.
Works have continued around the clock as the patrol tower takes shape overlooking main beach.
The new patrol tower has exterior walls built, a new access stairway is under construction while an internal fit out has started.
Mr Pavia said he was pleased with the progress of the development prior to club’s busy summer period.
“The builders are confident that (patrol tower) will be on target for the commencement of the patrol season,” Pavia told the Voice.
“It means we will have a good strong presence on the beach as far as patrol is concerned with both our volunteers and our paid lifeguards through the season.”
Mr Pavia said the two-tier patrol tower building would be equipped with a storage area on the bottom level and will be the club first-aid room as construction of the Ocean Grove Surf Beach Complex takes place.
“The storage area down below is sufficient for us to keep rescue boards and other essential patrol equipment,” he said.
“The area on top will double as a first-aid room during the time the rest of the building is being completed.”
The state government has allocated over $4 million for the club’s building re-development with over $270,000 contributed towards the construction of an Ocean Grove SLSC patrol tower.
The federal government contributed $1 million towards the building works, while Ocean Grove SLSC will receive a $150,000 grant from the City of Greater Geelong towards its new clubrooms.
MEANTIME Mr Pavia confirmed he had a site inspection of the multi-million Ocean Grove Surf Beach complex building re-development this month.
He said the overall progress of the building construction was pleasing which remains on track to be completed by April/May of 2019.
“I had the opportunity to walk through the downstairs area (this month) and inspect it and we’re very pleased with the size and proportions of all the spaces downstairs.
“Everything is going well there.”
