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The Papamoa Community Surf Rescue Base Trust is turning to the community to help them keep people safe.

The trust wants to build a new $4 million rescue base to replace the current, cramped and outdated building, which the Papamoa Surf Club presently patrols from.

Papamoa Community Surf Rescue Base Trust chair Jim Pearson with a concept design for the new rescue base. View the slideshow to see more concept designs Photo: Tracy Hardy

Trust chair Jim Pearson is calling on members of the community to pledge their support for the new building by adding their name to a supporters list, which will be presented to the Tauranga City Council during the Annual Plan 2016/17 hearing submissions from April 26-28.

'We're not seeking donations at this stage, we're asking people to visit our website and become a supporter of the club,” explains Jim.

'This is basically a way for people to tell council they support our plan and want to see this build happen.”

Papamoa is New Zealand's fastest growing suburb and it's projected that 31,337 people will be living in the suburb by 2028. But a boost in population means more demand on essential services, like the surf lifesaving club.

The current base was built in 1990 when the club had 150 members. Fast forward to today, they now have more than 750 members – which is expected to grow to well over 1000 members by 2020.

Jim says the building does not adequately support the club's patrol of the 14km long beach and space is also 'at a premium”.

For example, equipment is being stored outside in containers or at members' homes, while the lounge is also a changing room, a storage area, and a dining area, he says.

The lounge behind the patrol tower also doubles as a change room, a lifeguard patrol stand down area, a training room, an equipment storage area, a meeting room, a hired function room, a gym and a dining area. Photo: Tracy Hardy

'The major change with the new building would be to functional space because our current one is essentially compromised, not just in terms of its size but also the layout.

'There will be a completely different layout as the new building would face the sea which will increase our visual coverage of Papamoa Beach.

'We've also designed the new building in a way that will meet our needs now, but is also adaptable in a way to meet our needs 30 years into the future should they change, future proofing basically.”

The new base would be more than two times bigger than the current building and would provide improved facilities for training, education, St John as well as the club's emergency response.

Should the trust's submission prove successful, they'll then apply for a resource consent within the next two months before undertaking fundraising for the estimated $4m building.

The current base would either be salvaged or demolished, with work on the new building commencing in 2017.

The Papamoa Community Surf Rescue Base Trust would build, own and operate the facility, with a sub-lease to the Papamoa Surf Lifesaving Club as the primary tenant.

For more information or to pledge your support visit The Papamoa Community Surf Rescue Base Trust's website at: www.papamoabuild.org.nz