Cottesloe Scout group leader John Andrewartha said this was the first time the organisations used the same facility, which replaces a demolished 1952-built hall for the 1920-established scouting troop.
‘North Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club will use it during the days for things like their first aid classes and we’ll have it at nights for our cubs and scouts, but we really see it as the community’s hall,’ Mr Andrewartha said.
A relationship between the two community groups started when a club member approached Mr Andrewartha about three years ago.
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READ NOWThe new building will allow the scouts to store camping equipment, including trailers, portable kitchens and tents but Mr Andrewartha said it was unlikely the troop’s members aged 8-14 would now use the lifesavers’ facilities on the beach.
The hall will be Cottesloe’s only public community facility where the Cottesloe Play Group will be a permanent tenant.
A Lotterywest grant, the club, builder BGC and Parry and Rosenthal Architects have supported the project.
‘Scouts WA and Surf Life Saving WA have a number of compelling similarities as they are both community driven organisations that are volunteer-based with an emphasis on youth and outdoor activity,’ NCSLSC general manager Ben Unbehaun said.
The hall will also be known by the Nyoongar name Ngulluckiny, pronounced ‘nul-luc-iny’, which means together-us.