Mount lifeguard services cracks fundraising milestone

An artist's impression of what the new Mount Maunganui Lifeguard building may look like.

The Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service has broken through the $1 million mark in fundraising for a new world-class, multi-use base.

The surf lifesaving club has served the Mount Maunganui community for 86 years and was last updated more than 25 years ago.

Club chairman Paul Treanor said, in a statement, the latest confirmed grant - $100,000 from the Grassroots Trust - had the project near the halfway mark.

"We should know the result of our application to the Lottery Grants Board by the end of the month and, if that is successful, we'll be on the home straight," Mr Treanor said.

"We've been delighted with the support we've received so far in a tough fundraising climate, with our standing in the community giving us a definite advantage."

Major contributors to the new building fund include Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust ($400,000), $200,000 each from New Zealand Community Trust and Tauranga City Council and $100,000 from both MacKay Strathnaver Trust and Grassroots Trust.

Tauranga's population has meant there were far more people using the beaches and on Mauao, with lifeguard numbers increasing as a result, and Mr Treanor explained the club needed more space for training and performing core lifeguarding roles, with a community function centre to generate cash-flow to fund services and maintenance.

"Our stated aim is to provide world-class lifesaving services and we want to lead the way, not only on the beach environment but also in our integration with other emergency services. Our building project has that firmly in mind and will help us keep the public safe for generations to come."

Planning for the building project will also continue, with the club hoping to move into community fundraising early in the new year and construction set to start in May.

The aim is to have the new building ready for the 2017-18 season.