Adelaide’s coastline has just become more vibrant with the recent unveiling of the first stage of the West Beach Surf Life Saving Club’s $10m redevelopment. Just in time for the holiday season, the club’s new bar and restaurant opened its doors, quickly becoming a local sensation with bookings filling up since its debut.
This ambitious project, backed by federal, state, and local governments, along with Surf Life Saving SA, aims to not only modernise but also significantly enhance the club’s facilities. The redevelopment marks a new chapter for the club, which demolished its old clubhouse two surf seasons ago. The excitement among club members continues to build as the fit out nears completion.
The first stage of the redevelopment has already made a splash. The venue, with its increased capacity, can now accommodate 165 seated guests and up to 400 standing. The second stage, focusing on member facilities and storage for life-saving equipment, is expected to be completed by February.
The new club’s lower level houses a gym, training and conference room, change rooms, a first aid room with ambulance access, and a patrol control room. It also includes a vast storage area for the club’s equipment, complemented by a wide driveway for easy vehicle access.
The upper level of the club is a tribute to the stunning ocean views. Expansive windows ensure that every table in the restaurant enjoys the seascape. The restaurant features a partition for club functions, a long bar, and a barista corner complete with a selection of baked treats and an ice cream fridge. The menu is extensive, offering everything from deconstructed yiros to Schnitzel night Thursdays. Breakfast options are equally impressive, with a range of classic and unique dishes like the Prawn Florentine.
A spacious deck runs along the front of the building, offering wind-protected seating with high glass balustrades and automated shade blinds. The wide North side of the deck, partly undercover, maintains a connection to the old club, reflecting the previous outdoor area, while providing a modern touch.
Accessibility is a key feature of the new club, with ramps, an elevator, and large accessible bathrooms ensuring everyone can enjoy the facilities. The club’s design, a blend of the new and the familiar, includes elements from the old building, like the high tables on the deck made by volunteers, from the old pergola’s wood.
Open daily from 8am to around 9pm, the new West Beach Surf Lifesaving Club invites everyone to experience its offerings. This redevelopment was essential after the original building, dating back to the 1960s, suffered from years of storms and needed modern upgrades.
Designed by renowned Adelaide architect Walter Brooke and constructed by Partek Construction & Interiors, the new structure is a testament to contemporary design and community spirit. Carolyn Oades, associate director at Walterbrooke, encapsulates the essence of the project: “The building is designed to provide a community gathering place, that is a functional landmark for safety and rescue and is accessible by all.”
Since 1956, the historic Adelaide surf club has been a beacon of volunteer surf lifesaving patrols and community engagement. The new beach-house-inspired design, complete with timber panelling and large windows, is set to continue this legacy as an inviting and authentic local hub. The West Beach club’s upgrade is the final piece in the City of Charles Sturt’s Plexus program, a comprehensive development plan for surf life-saving facilities in South Australia, initiated by Surf Life Saving South Australia in 2002.
For more information or to donate to the West Beach Surf Life Saving Club, head here.
The West Beach Surf Life Saving Club is located at the corner of Seaview & West Beach Roads, West Beach 5024.
More News
