Exciting times are ahead for the Orewa Surf Life Saving Club with the redevelopment of their club which will include a state-of-the-art community hub.

The existing building is 62 years old and too old to cater to the growing membership and number of visitors to the area.

It will be demolished to make way for a vibrant hub that will be the heart and soul of the community. Since the club was formed in 1950, there have been over 1200 rescues done. Lifeguards patrol Orewa Beach, Wenderholm, and the wider Whangaparaoa Bay, ensuring visitors in and out of the water, are safe. 

The Life Saving Club will undergo significant expansion works during the construction.

Currently, more than half their equipment is exposed to the elements due to the lack of space at the existing club. There will be sufficient storage for all their equipment, rescue boats, and rescue vehicles in the new building. This will also ensure the safety of the community is not compromised. 

A new lifeguard tower will be constructed on the beach that will house medical and first aid facilities. The community hub will be about 2000 square meters built over two levels. It will have sufficient space for all the life-saving amenities, including appropriate accommodation and changing facilities for lifeguards on patrol. There will also be enough space in the club for the lifeguards to train. 

The club actively promotes youth development programs that include water safety, water skills training for children, teaching life-saving skills to adolescents, and promoting fitness and teamwork. They teach others to respect the ocean through surf sports. The new club will have dedicated areas for these programs to continue and grow. 

The community spaces will include board rooms, function rooms, and conference facilities. There will be iconic views of the ocean and the 2.5km stretch of Orewa beach from a family restaurant and bar with alfresco dining. There will also be hospitality areas for club members and community events.

According to John Chapman, the president of the Orewa Surf Life Saving Club, the new hub will not be built in the same spot where the existing club is.

Due to coastal inundation - caused when high tides, storm surges, and/or large waves occur at the same time in low-lying coastal areas - the new club will be built further back towards Orewa Reserve.

They have received funding from the Hibiscus Coast and Bays Local Board grants. The government is also allocating funds to them and they will hear towards the latter part of 2022 the amount the government will give them.

The project will cost about $8.8 million and fundraising has begun on the remaining funds.