After five years of ''hard slog'' the new Brighton Surf Life Saving Club building was officially opened at the weekend.
About 100 people with a connection to the club or the project to replace its ageing clubrooms attended the opening by Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull on Saturday afternoon.
Before unveiling a plaque, Mr Cull told the crowd the new clubrooms were a ''genuine multipurpose community facility'' and the project's completion was a testament to the community's spirit.
''This is a wonderful example of what collaboration and a genuine joint community effort can achieve.
''My observation is that the outlying communities in our city are especially good at rallying people and funds to put up community facilities,'' Mr Cull said.
Club rebuilding committee convener Scott Weatherall said the ''amazing'' new facility was the result of ''five years of hard slog''.
He thanked all those who had helped, including the New Zealand Lotteries Commission for giving $150,000 and the Otago Community Trust for giving $80,000.
After his speech, he told the Otago Daily Times the project would cost more than the expected $465,000, but the committee was still sorting out extra costs.
He also singled out G. J. Gardner Homes and franchise owner Laurie Mains for being the club's main partner on the building project.
Mr Mains said he and his staff involved in the project were proud of what they had helped achieve.
''This facility has been future-proofed and will serve Brighton and the greater Dunedin community for generations to come,'' he said.
He also urged funding groups and local businesses to support the club as it was faced with set-up costs and led the way by donating $3500.
