New lifeguard tower for Tay St beach

Tay Street Beach has a lifeguard tower for the summer. Photo/John Borren

A new lifeguard tower has been erected on Tay St to respond to increased demand from swimmers ahead of this summer.

The Surf Lifesaving New Zealand tower was installed at the beach at Mount Maunganui yesterday in time for the beginning of the Surf Lifesaving New Zealand paid patrols in the area, which begin Christmas Day.

The tower, which is owned by Surf Lifesaving New Zealand, is usually stored out the back of the Mount Maunganui club when it's not being used for sport events.

During the 2011-12 summer lifeguarding season, seven people were rescued from the Tay St area by surf lifesavers.