A £ 3.5million project on Hove seafront for a community building ‘lasting over 100 years’ has been unveiled.
The Sussex Surf Life Saving Center is an brainchild of David Samuel and aims to provide a base for training future generations of rescue workers and lifeguards while increasing access for people with disabilities to the beach.
Mr. Samuel, who created the Paddle Round the Pier Festival, believes the project has the opportunity to change people’s lives “not only in our city but far beyond”.
The proposed building on the West Hove waterfront green is expected to feature classrooms, space for lifesaving equipment, a members bar and more.
Mr. Samuel shares his vision with the goal of attracting community feedback on the program.
“There has been a lot of negative reaction to development at Hove,” Samuel said.
“He needs development, but he has to be sympathetic development.
“It’s not a commercial building that attracts tourists, it’s a community legacy that will last for over 100 years.”
The Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club currently offers fitness, first aid and lifeguard training for people over the age of eight.
Its members volunteer their time to help lifeguards during busy seasons, teach swimmers about safety at sea and organize classes for young students.
Mr Samuel said the club has reached its maximum capacity and the new building will expand its “vital” work while providing a hub for services across the county.
He said: “This is something we desperately need. If you educate people before they come to the beach, we can save lives.
“This is not a commercial venture, we are locals hoping to create a new community space and are open to suggestions on how these community rooms can be used.
“The plans are there as a preview of how we would like to see the area being used, they are not final.”
The ground floor is planned to have lockers for the 3.35 meter water bodies, which will be accessible from outside the building.
There is garage space provided for five Arancia inshore rescue boats and a tractor.
General public access to year-round freshwater showers is also provided, as well as 20-meter indoor and outdoor sandbox tracks.
Proposals also include two four-meter “endless training pools”, a physiotherapy studio, and indoor and outdoor weight training gyms for members.
Adaptable changing rooms for adults and children are also provided.
On the first floor there is a classroom space provided for teaching fitness classes and organizing meetings and functions.
There would also be a food court, kitchen facilities and a licensed bar for members, all for members only.
There are also plans on the first floor for a store for specialized water sports kits, a repair shop, as well as facilities for the youth center, including pool tables, football and homework stations.
Offices for organizations such as the Wave Project, a lifeguard monitoring station and beach huts integrated under the gazebo canopy are also planned.
Mr Samuel said: “There is a glaring shortage of lifeguards in this area so we would like to support the Brighton and Hove lifeguard team and service by providing changing facilities. Currently they are doing this in old toilets, so it’s not a good situation.
Young people across the city and beyond will also benefit from the building, Samuel said.
He added: “There is also a lack of children’s services and youth clubs, but here is a place where they can relax and feel like it’s their own space.
“Surf Life Saving becomes a way of life in itself for those lucky enough to feel its appeal. It is more than just a hobby or sport, it is a lifelong commitment to helping others.
“By commissioning a specially designed rescue center, it allows us to support and develop the city’s youth into healthy, community-minded adults who will continue to serve society for years to come. ”
The project also aims to improve facilities for people with disabilities with toilets, improved parking lots, charging points for electric wheelchairs and disability awareness training for lifeguards.
Mr. Samuel said that beach ramps, which help people with disabilities enjoy the sea, will also be created and installed by community members.
He said: “We want to create safe and permanent access for all.
“When I started Paddle Round the Pier, we started using ramps to the beach where people would have supported access to the sea.
“We have had families who came down for the very first time. ”
Mr. Samuel added: “In terms of funding, we are going through all the usual channels.
“Lottery Funding, Sports Council Funding, Comic Relief. Due to the merits of the program, I’m not worried.
“None of us are commercial, we are not here to make money ourselves, we are all just volunteers for the good of others.”
More about this article: Read More
Source: www.theargus.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-07-10 02:35:00
