Founded in 1911 The Manly Life Saving Club is one of Australia's oldest Surf Life Saving Clubs in Australia. The club was founded to patrol Manly Beach after a law banning daylight swimming was overturned. Now, following a two staged tender process, Northern Beaches Council has appointed an esteemed architect to work with Council and the community to develop concept plans for a new Manly Surf Lifesaving Club and public amenities.
TERROIR Pty Ltd was awarded the tender, with demonstrated experience in delivering iconic buildings and strong skills in working with stakeholders to find solutions to complex site constraints. Previous work by TERROIR includes the impressive Penguin Parade Visitor Centre on Phillip Island and Puffing Billy Railway Visitor Centre. The project will be led by TERRIOR’s Principal Gerard Reinmuth, who holds a Masters of Architecture and Bachelor of Environmental Design. He is also the Associate Head of School and Inaugural Professor of Practice: School of Architecture at University Technology Sydney (UTS).
Mayor Michael Regan has welcomed the appointment of an architect to take the project through the next phase. “Manly Lifesaving Club is arguably one of the best known clubs in Australia, much loved and used by locals, club members and volunteers, and part of any visitor trip to Manly. However the existing building facilities are in a poor condition and would require extensive investment to get them up to standard. It doesn’t cater for the growing numbers of volunteers, nippers, surf craft and community needs required now and in the future. It’s exciting to move to this next stage and the development of concept designs for a new club more fit for purpose and reflective of its iconic location. I look forward to hearing more from the community in the coming months when the consultation to inform the designs kicks off."
The full redevelopment of the Manly Surf Club is estimated to cost $15million and to date funding of $5million has been secured each from Council and the Federal Government. Council is continuing to seek additional funding sources including from the NSW Government.
The selection of the architect followed significant initial consultation, town planning and engineering investigations. Council then released a broad Expression of Interest and then a closed Request for Tender for shortlisted Tenderers. A number of detailed submissions were received and a rigorous evaluation process ensued.
The process of developing the concepts including widespread community consultation is expected to take around 18 months.