Things are really sizzling at Waitārere Beach these days.
The old Levin-Waitārere Beach surf club carpark is getting a major makeover, set to include spanking-new public restroom facilities, outdoor showers, a picnic spot, a fresh concrete footpath, revamped parking areas, and crisp parking line markings once the transformation is wrapped up.
This impressive upgrade project got the green light thanks to a generous $500,000 grant from Horowhenua District Council’s Better Off funding. This funding not only allowed for additional enhancements not originally part of the plans but also contributed to the reconstruction of the new $3.2 million Waitārere Beach Surf Life Saving community hub nearby.
Homestead Construction, the council’s trusted contractor, kicked off the project back in November 2022, setting in motion the transformation that’s making Waitārere Beach the place to be.
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Waitārere Beach Revamp: Enhancing the Coastal Experience
The project encompasses upgrades to the parking facility, public toilets, and essential infrastructure. It also includes a facelift for the area’s landscaping, the removal of exotic species, and the addition of native plantings. These changes will invigorate the beach community, which experiences a surge in visitors during the sunny summer months. Mayor Bernie Wanden, who enjoys a beach day like many others in the district and beyond, shared his excitement.
Mayor Wanden believes these projects will secure Waitārere Beach as a premier New Zealand destination, especially in sunny weather. He believes that upon their full completion, they will further boost the beach’s reputation. “Thousands of visitors cherish Waitārere Beach each year. We’re excited to enhance the carpark and the experience for locals and tourists. We thank you for your patience as we elevate this space,” he emphasized.
The new Waitārere Beach Surf Life Saving facility opens soon, with ongoing carpark upgrades expected to last through summer.
To keep summer disruptions at a minimum, the carpark will stay open, with temporary section closures for essential improvements. The existing public restrooms are now closed, and they will soon relocate to a new site by late 2023. In the meantime, beachgoers can find public restrooms at the Waitārere Beach Domain up the road.
And don’t worry, the recycling station at the carpark will stay open during the construction period.
The old surf club will soon be demolished, and the new facility, accommodating 200 people, will serve life-saving activities.
Meanwhile, the new Surf Life Saving Club facility boasts a watchtower for patrols, beach education spaces for young surf enthusiasts and beach safety programs, open to school groups, the public, and club members. There’s a well-equipped kitchen to host community events that align closely with surf life-saving activities. The building also features changing rooms, restrooms, and showers, ensuring beachgoers’ comfort. It even houses a first aid room, storage facilities for rescue and training gear, and additional amenities like a deck, patio, barbecue area, outside rinse showers, and a wash-down forecourt.
