Visitors to Kākā Point in the Catlins will soon be able to don their togs, spend a penny and put a smile on youngsters’ faces in modernised facilities, all under the watchful eye of a brand new surf life saving club.
Officials and stakeholders will open the new public changing rooms and toilets on the town’s Esplanade at 2.30pm tomorrow, marking the conclusion of a project that began last year.
Local groups were also in the process of upgrading the holiday resort’s playground and surf life saving clubrooms.
The toilet upgrade was approved by Clutha District Council during long-term planning in June last year, and budgeted at $440,000.
Mayor-elect Jock Martin said the project had been a true community effort, led by the "dedicated" Kākā Point Community Group.
"The group has done an outstanding job bringing this project to life and it’s great to see these modern facilities that will be open in time for summer."
He said the new complex replaced the former block on the same site and provided modern, accessible facilities that better met the needs of users.
The council had partnered closely with the community working group to deliver the upgrade.
A working group spokesperson said the opening was a pleasing conclusion to what had been a "long journey".
"[This has] involved a lot of meetings, time and effort.
"Thanks to the mayor and councillors at the time for their support with funding for the project, from which we now proudly have an amazing facility for all the community and visitors to use.”
Construction included the demolition of the old block, site preparation, installation of a new Exeloo facility, as well as landscaping and finishing work.
The council said work had also begun on improvements to the nearby carpark.
Kākā Point Surf Life Saving Club was expected to begin construction of its new, $2.3million clubrooms in April next year.
Another community group was approaching its fundraising target of $670,000, which it would use to upgrade the town’s 30-year-old playground.
