Last week, the Clutha District Council voted by a narrow margin to turn down a request from the Kaka Point Surf Life Saving Club for a grant boost of $20,500 to bring in paid lifeguards at the popular Catlins beach this coming season.
During annual plan hearings earlier this year, the council made a grant of $25,000 to the club, but decided not to extend that by the additional sum due to concerns the money would be used to pay non-local lifeguards.
However, without the addition of external lifeguards, the club would not be able to provide full patrols for the key six-week Christmas holiday season, the club said.
On June 22, club president Mark van Asperen attended a further council meeting to make a direct appeal for the funding boost.
However, councillors voted 7-6 against the additional grant at their meeting in Balclutha last Thursday.
On Tuesday, Mr van Asperen said the club remained grateful for the council’s continuing help with funding, but was "dismayed" by its decision not to extend that funding this year.
"It’s gut-wrenching not to have that extra sum to help fund professional lifeguards patrol our beach this summer.
"Without exaggeration, it’s a question of ‘how much is a life worth?’
"We’re left scrambling a bit for other options now, and will have to put our thinking caps on to see what other sources of funding we might be able to tap into."
The shortfall might hamper the club’s long-standing plans to replace its clubhouse, he said.
"We’ve worked hard to ensure we have enough funds, and a carefully, economically designed structure to replace the current building.
"It would be a shame to have to stall that project, but it may come to that if it’s a question of public safety."
Mr van Asperen said the club would be approaching grant organisations next week, and would welcome approaches from other potential sources of funding.
