Albany Surf Life Saving Club reopens at Middleton Beach after $3.3m refurbishments

Albany’s freshly refurbished Surf Living Saving Club officially reopened its doors last week, with its $3.35 million spruce-up expected to improve the vital beach patrol service’s capacity for years to come.

Located pride of place on Middleton Beach, the club has been closed since February 2024 for renovations that included adding a new beach patrol centre with a dedicated first aid room, patrol briefing area and lookout, training rooms and boardrooms as well as an overhaul of weathered infrastructure.

Thursday saw Albany mayor Greg Stocks joined by the Premier’s Secretary and Cockburn MLA David Scaife, ASLSC president Sarah Bowles and the Jack Family Trust’s David Moss to cut the ribbon on the new building.

Mr Stocks said the new facility would help the club meet growing demand at Middleton Beach.

“This is a club that’s been part of Albany’s story for a long time — it’s where generations have learnt to read the ocean, how to look after each other, and how to step up in moments of need,” he said.

“This redevelopment ensures the club can keep doing what it does best — but even better.

“There’s now safer, more practical storage for equipment, a proper hub for lifesaving operations, and spaces for training and community events.“

Ms Bowles echoed the mayor’s sentiment, saying the renovation represents an “investment in the future”.

“From improved safety across our lifesaving and surf sports areas to more weather-protected spaces for swimmers and beachgoers, this redevelopment allows us to meet growing demand while giving back to the community that supports us.”

The renovation was jointly funded by State Government contributions of $2.8m, $350,000 from the City of Albany and $200,000 from the ASLSC.

First born as the Naval & Military Sea Bathing Club in 1917, the club has since grown to have more than 500 members in the following 108 years.

Sport and Recreation Minister Rita Saffioti labelled the new facilities “fantastic”, while Great Southern Minister Reece Whitby called them a “major win” for the club’s members and the community.

“I commend everyone involved in this project for their hard work and dedication in bringing their vision for this facility to life, and I look forward to seeing the newly refurbished club’s continued positive impact on our community,” Mr Whitby said.