The Port of Tauranga Rescue Centre is having a soft opening today, with members of the public being able to view the inside of the new building from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

The centre is being developed by the Oman Beach Charitable Trust, on the Tauranga City Council owned land on Golf Road in Mount Maunganui.

Port Rescue Centre project manager Donal Boyle says the idea for the centre was initially coined up after Omanu Surf Life Saving Club was requiring additional space, and will now serve as a hub for surf lifesaving operations in the eastern region.

'Where we were situated in the old Omanu Surf Club, it was going to be difficult to expand in the area with residents around us,” says Donal.

'We then worked with the council to find some land nearby.

'Then when we expanded the project, beside us was the Mount Maunganui Bridge Club. They had an old building, so we thought it would be good for both of us if we could join them together and provide them a new club room.

'We also created an office for Surf Life Saving New Zealand inside of the centre, to give them a permanent home in the area. They look after surf clubs from the top of the Coromandel all the way down to Gisborne.

'There's about three bays at the bottom of building too, and one of those is going to be used by the Omanu Surf Club to store our gear and provide that extra space when needed.

'A training room was also constructed for the club. At the moment, we're all crammed in trying to do patrols on the weekend, as well as trying to run first aid and surf lifesaving courses.

Donal says that the new building will allow the club to run a lot smoother whilst carrying out their regular duties and running courses.

He also says 'it's awesome” to have the project in a nearly completed state.

'It was May last year when we knocked over the old Bridge Club and started the earth work.

'We talked about finishing it in 12 months, and although we're a couple months over now, in this Covid-19 period, a couple months over is quite on time really.”

'The public can come down and have a wander through. We've had lots of neighbours to the property curious about this monstrosity that has been built, so now is the opportunity to have a look inside before the bridge club and the surf lifesaving club move in.”

The Port Rescue Centre's ‘soft opening' open day is open for public viewing from 1.30pm to 3.30pm today, Saturday, July 2.

The official full opening is set to be held on the Friday, October 14.

For more information on the Port of Tauranga Rescue Centre, visit the Port of Tauranga website. https://www.port-tauranga.co.nz/news/port-of-tauranga-announces-naming-rights-sponsorship-of-new-rescue-centre/