THE late Ric Roberts had a plan to build a surf life saving club when the Port Bouvard Life Saving Club site was just a sandy strip.
He approached Dawesville MLA Kim Hames for funding and Mr Hames approached the late Canning MHR Don Randall.
Mr Randall got funding from the Federal Government and the City of Mandurah but there was only enough money to build a single-storey construction, not the two storeys Mr Roberts had envisaged.
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READ NOWNow the dream is likely to become reality, with Regional Development Minister Terry Redman’s announcement today of $300,000 from the Royalties for Regions regional grant scheme towards construction.
The Federal Government has also committed $1 million, the City of Mandurah $200,000 and the club $155,000.
Fortunately the original plans ensured the building was strong enough to take a second storey and it will be named in honour of Mr Randall, who died in 2015.
Mr Redman said he could not think of a better project to fund.
“Members not only patrol beaches but are training youngsters to become surf aware,’’ he said.
“You are doing your bit and we want to support it.’’
Mr Hames said the funding recognised the remarkable contribution Port Bouvard Surf Life Saving Club made in providing aqua-based sporting facilities in south Mandurah.
He said a second storey would allow a purpose-built facility for other aquatic sports events, a function centre and a community hub.
Peel Development Commission chairman Paul Fitzpatrick said that, as identified in the Peel Regional Blueprint, a growing export for the region was tourism and 500,000 visitors to the Peel each year mostly wanted to use the superb coastline and beaches for recreation.