Mayor opens new surf clubhouse

Gosford mayor Cr Jim Macfadyen has officially opened the new Umina Beach Surf Life Saving Clubhouse.

The ceremony held on December 1 was the second $2.1 million redevelopment of a Gosford City club to be opened within two weeks.

Cr Macfadyen officially opened the Ocean Beach Surf Life Saving Club's redevelopment on November 21.

Cr Macfadyen said it was fitting that two local surf club redevelopments had been officially opened in 2007, the Year of the Life Saver, and that president of Surf Life Saving NSW Mr Brett Harrod would be on hand at Umina for the opening.

"Although more than 300,000 lives have been saved by Surf Life Saving NSW members since 1949, this vital service can only continue its work if they are provided with the best facilities and the best equipment," Cr Macfadyen said.

"Gosford Council has made an unparalleled commitment to ensuring beach safety through its long-term program of redeveloping eight of its nine surf life saving clubs by the end of 2008."

Council has now upgraded club facilities at North Avoca, Terrigal, Avoca, Ocean Beach and Umina, with construction of the Copacabana Club currently underway and work due to begin early next year on Wamberal and Killcare.

Included in the Umina Beach upgrade was a kiosk, first aid and observation rooms, gear and boat sheds, meeting rooms, office, kitchen and bar, function room, and members' toilets.

Umina Beach is now the second club built by McKenzie Building.

Funding for Umina Beach was provided by council and a $110,000 surf club facility grant from the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation.

Press release, 27 Nov 2007 Marion Newall, Gosford Council