Opposition leader Matthew Guy has committed $3.5 million to support a development of the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club if it wins this year’s election.
Mr Guy visited the region last week and made the commitment to support the club’s plans to upgrade its 50-year-old facility.
The club has revealed plans to upgrade after seeing a significant growth to its membership base in the past few years, which has seen it reach its capacity for its Nippers programs.
“No child should be turned away from Nippers because of capacity limits and under a Matthew Guy Liberal Nationals Government, that won’t happen again,” Mr Guy said.
“This investment will help ensure no family is denied access to such vital programs.”
Polwarth MP Richard Riordan said the Torquay club needed more support for its impact on the community.
“For generations, the Torquay SLSC has been a pillar of local sport, culture and community,” he said.
“Our plan to upgrade the club and surrounding beachfront will mean more local residents will be able to access and enjoy this outstanding community facility for decades to come.”
Torquay Surf Life Saving Club captain Julian Sweeney said it was pleasing the opposition had made a commitment to the club.
“It’s great to see the Liberals commit to supporting the upgrade and hopefully that will push the other parties to commit to the project too,” he said.
“We feel the Torquay Surf Life Saving Club is a jewel of the Surf Coast but unfortunately unlike other surf life saving clubs along the coast, we haven’t had our facilities upgraded.
“It would be nice to get this upgrade and provide a state-of-the-art facility for the whole community to enjoy.”
Mr Sweeney said the upgrade would allow for the clubrooms and beach to be more accessible for people of all abilities.
“It’s a 50-year-old building and back when it was made, it wasn’t made to be as accessible,” he said.
“It’s outdated and we want to make sure we’re accessible for everyone in the community … for example our boat ramps are one of the most accessible ways for people in wheelchairs to get down to the beach, but even they are too steep for many people.
“Everyone should be able to enjoy the beach and we want to make that access easier.”
The club has estimated it would cost $11 million to upgrade the building, and has raised more than $1 million of its own funding.
The club is also hopeful of making Torquay a “centre of excellence” for Life Saving Victoria training on the Surf Coast, as well as being a hub for community groups to use year round.
