GJ Gardner Homes gives orewa Surf Lifesaving community hub major funding boost
The build, estimated to cost more than $8.5m, has been a long time in the making – talks began with Auckland Council more than a decade ago (in 2011). Last year, fundraising began in earnest. Along the way, there have been grants from the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board for feasibility studies and consenting fees and, in September, the fundraising took a massive leap forward with a $2m grant from Council. The latest offer of support, from GJ Gardener Homes, has made fundraising committee chair, John Chapman, “ecstatic”. The company is to donate the sale proceeds of a home it is building in Milldale to the project. Tradies are providing cut price deals and real estate agents Mackey’s Real Estate and Bayleys In the North are donating their services for the marketing and auction. Ross and Elaine Morley own GJ Gardner Rodney. Elaine says when the surf club asked whether they could help, building a home to sell seemed the logical way to make a contribution. “In any project such as this, success is the accumulation of the generosity of many and we have been fortunate to have incredible support from our local sub-contractors and suppliers with many donating their time or materials for free thus allowing the final sale price and profit to be as significant as possible for the club,” she says. “These new club rooms are a much needed centre for the community and by supporting it, we feel we are making an investment in the health and learning of the local youth. Surf clubs are not just about patrolling the beach but also about instilling valuable life skills, promoting fitness, and fostering a sense of belonging. This initiative is an embodiment of the belief that supporting organisations that nurture the younger generation is essential for building a vibrant and resilient community.” John Chapman says the offer is a big shot in the arm for the project. “We have been blown away by the buy in,” he says. “All their tradies and sub-contractors, including some who are also members of the club, are helping out.” With the concrete slab poured on October 31, it is hoped that the home in Milldale could be finished next April. John says that the majority of the pre-construction phase for the community hub is now behind them, with building consent the only item that remains to be ticked off. “This means that every cent we raise from here goes into actual bricks and mortar,” he says. More support is coming in all the time. The club is hoping for significant funds through Surf Lifesaving NZ, and John says local community groups, such as Ōrewa Lions Club, are also making the surf club a priority, with proceeds from this summer’s Big Dig, and calendar sales going to the project. The surf club hopes to put its building consent application in soon, and John says the best case scenario is that building could commence towards the end of next year.
Our generous sponsor @GJGardnerHomesNewZealand Rodney East, got busy on building this awesome home in Milldale, with the proceeds of sale donated to Ōrewa Surf Lifesaving’s new community hub and clubrooms.
There to see the concrete poured and the project underway are, from left, Ōrewa Surf Lifesaving’s Andrea May and Club Chair Jon Copeland, ACL Contractor Levi Ata and Stu Handford, GJ Gardener Homes Construction Project Manager.
Watch their fantastic tradies working hard below on the slab pour – thanks team, you’re awesome!
Landmark Building on the Way
The surf club building is 1900sqm over two levels with an additional 150sqm of cantilevered deck.
The layout was designed by Product X Architecture to provide for growth and diversity of use – particularly by the community.
The ground floor houses the bulk of club operations, while the upper floor will provide flexible space for community use, including meetings, functions and events. It includes a commercial kitchen.
The club restaurant and bar will also be open to the public.
The location of the building, which is around 23m further back towards the road than the current clubrooms, widens the adjacent beachside reserve area and increases the prominence of the building on Hibiscus Coast Highway where it can anchor itself as a local hub and landmark.
Info: visit www.orewasurflifesavingcommunityhub.co.nz
13 November 2023, Hibiscus Matters