Council gifts building to surf club

ANDREW GORRIE/Dominion Post

Supporters of Maranui Surf Club and Cafe celebrate the decision to give them the building.

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The emotional debate over rebuilding Wellington's fire-ravaged Maranui Surf Club was settled today as the building was gifted to the club to rebuild itself.

As earlier indicated, the Wellington City Council today voted overwhelmingly in favour of a deal that sees the heritage building which houses the surf club and popular café given to the club - along with $350,000 of ratepayers' money to go towards repairs. It is estimated it will cost $750,000 to fully restore.

A proposal to demolish the Lyall Bay landmark had earlier provoked a public outcry, forcing Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast to acknowledge it's standing in the community and the level of public support.

Deputy Mayor Ian McKinnon said: "The responsibility [to rebuild] now rests with Maranui."

Councillor Andy Foster said the proposal meant the building would be rebuilt much quicker - by February next year - than if the Council had maintained ownership.

Speaking earlier, Maranui chairman Peter Clark said the club had carefully considered taking the building back. He said it gave them more control over their own destiny and said they had enough support from the community to make it work.

In spite of comments from Surf Lifesaving New Zealand that there was no need for there to be two clubs on the beach -  the Maranui and Lyall Bay clubs split in 1911 - councillors rejected calls to force the two clubs to amalgamate.

Ms Prendergast said neither building was big enough to house both clubs and the council said surf lifesaving services would suffer if they were forced to combine.

While "in an ideal world there would be one set of buildings on Lyall Bay beach," each club had its own unique identity and history, she said.

Councillor John Morrison said: "I do ask you to remember that these clubs have made a wonderful contribution and will continue to do so."

Lyall Bay club had earlier spoken out about the council insurance money being given to Maranui as their earlier bid for a grant of $500,000 to go towards their $1.8million redevelopment was denied. However, Mr Morrison said the clubs had cooperated to see the deal go through.

The council also voted to consider working with Lyall Bay on its proposed rebuild and to also consider giving it $350,000 if public toilets were incorporated.

- © Fairfax NZ News