The iconic image of three clubbies between two red and yellow flags shows this is the home of surf lifesaving.
Large concrete steps lead the way into a new spacious clubhouse, with a large glass window and a watchtower showcasing views of the beach all the way to Mauao.
The almost-complete Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club. Photo / George Novak
Finishing touches are yet to be done and builders are still hammering in the last nails, but this almost-complete club is still a far cry from the aging, tattered building it once was.
Papamoa Surf Lifesaving Club building trust chairman Jim Pearson said they were waiting on building materials including glazing, balustrades, door hardware "you name it".
"There are so many items that the lead times have become protracted or unavailable altogether. We've seen that in everything. The supply chain is broken.
The new Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club. Photo / George Novak
"Those delays don't come without a cost implication as well."
Pearson said the original budget was $5.2m, but cost increases of Covid lockdown and supply chain issues meant the club was looking at a final build cost of $5.4m to $5.5m.
"Probably as a result of Covid we've had at least $200,000 of increases.
"So at a trust level, we've had to manage our finances very carefully."
The club has had to sacrifice mainly fit-out items, including the kitchen fit-out, operable walls to separate different areas, and some wash-down showers outside, Pearson said.
"It's the stuff that we need to make the facility fully functional. But we'll get there. It's a matter of prioritising the need and chipping away at it."
But Hitchfield said the club was confident the business community would come forward to help with some of the fit-outs, including furnishings as some already had.
"We've already been helped with some flooring and $10,000 worth of excavation work has been done by a local contractor.
"We're still looking at funding options to complete the hard construction build and fit-out including things that are necessary to make the building fully functional and will be looking for support from the community around the rest of the soft fit-out."
However, he said it was a milestone to get to this point of the project.
"We're really stoked to be able to be in a position to hand the building over to the club and community as the first piece of this.
Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club president Andrew Hitchfield and trust chairman Jim Pearson. Photo / George Novak
"Our members are really excited and they deserve it. It belongs to the community."
The club had spent the past two years patrolling out of five or six cargo shipping containers and two portacoms and outside, Hitchfield said.
"We're heading to over 5000 volunteer patrol hours."
Hitchfield hoped the club members would have full access by early March and to be completed and operational for the community by mid-March fully.
An official opening and community open days were planned for later in the year.
The $5.2m had come from an original fund of about $1m from Tauranga City Council, two TECT grants worth about $1m, and the NZ Lotteries and Lion Foundation, as well as other businesses.
Funding had also come from the club's charity rebuild project.
Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club president Andrew Hitchfield and trust chairman Jim Pearson. Photo / George Novak
Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust general manager Wayne Werder said it was fantastic to see the club almost complete after some challenging times through Covid lockdown.
"These community projects require people like Jim and Andrew. We've provided some significant funding but these guys have done the hard work.
"For an area like Pāpāmoa that is growing incredibly quickly the need for a new fit-for-purpose club is so great."
