Kaka Point Surf Life Saving Club president Mark van Asperen said the club had been planning its rebuild for the past four years, and had been ready to break ground when the Clutha District Council raised the possibility of integrating new public toilets in the building.
As the proposal was also supported by the Kaka Point Community Group, the club had decided to await the outcome of council long-term plan consultation, ending on May 15, to see how the community wished to proceed, Mr van Asperen said.
Options presented by the council in consultation documents include maintaining or upgrading the current separate toilet and changing facilities; building a new facility on the current site at a cost of $578,000; or integration within the new clubrooms, at a total cost of $750,000.
The final option would also include a $310,000 grant towards the clubroom rebuild, acknowledging the requirement for a bigger overall build to accommodate the new toilets.
Mr van Asperen said the club favoured the final option, but only as long as it also had strong community support.
"Historically we didn’t want to do it, mainly because of the delay it would put on getting the club build under way.
"But following discussions with the council and local community group, it became clear this would be a better, cheaper overall solution to waterfront amenities in Kaka Point.
"The existing clubrooms are literally falling to pieces, so we’re just eager to get going one way or another, and we look forward to hearing what the community thinks following consultation."
He hoped construction could begin by the end of next summer.
The cost of a facility with integrated public toilets was expected to be greater than the $2 million estimated for the original club rebuild.
Council LTP documentation said the current toilet block risked inundation during a storm-surge event.
This would be addressed by a separate or integrated rebuild.
"This would provide a higher quality facility than present with improved disability access, and would better support the area’s tourism destination potential.
"There will be only one facility located on the foreshore which reduces the overall total cost, reduces total maintenance costs, possible reduction in total costs for protection works in future (due to sea-level rise or coastal erosion), and enables the existing toilet site to be repurposed for parking, picnic area or green space."
Long-term plan hearings will take place on May 23 and 24, at the council’s Balclutha headquarters.
