A key agreement enabling the redevelopment of the Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club on the beachfront at the Papamoa Domain is agreed to by the Tauranga City Council.

Council yesterday gave the nod to support the redevelopment of the clubhouse, overriding concerns expressed by council staff about the ability of the reserve to cater for further development.

Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club is set to be redeveloped from its current clubhouse into a rectangle clubhouse lying parallel to the beach.

The club is seeking to replace the decaying 400m2 building with a 2147m2 two storey building.

The shape of the club's leased area is to be altered to a rectangle lying parallel to the beach, instead of the current 1590m2 lease, which goes back from the beach. The area is reduced to about 1150m2, but it makes room for the new clubhouse design.

Council staff raised concerns over the impact of the redevelopment on the dune reserve and a claim the proposal will require 100 car parks.

But councillors were supportive of the development with Terry Molloy asking where members currently park, while Murray Guy asked if the Mount and Omanu Clubs are required to meet the same provisions as council staff claim are required.

Architect's perspective of the new Papamoa club house.

Staff says the issue is Papamoa Club is built on a reserve, even though it has an existing lease and building on that reserve.

Concerns expressed about the club's ability to pay for the new building are also part of that process. When a club builds on public land and cannot complete payment or maintain the building the responsibility falls back on the ratepayers, says council general manager of strategy services, Christine Jones.

Councillors agreed with Terry Molloy's suggestion they agree to the lease, and the club can work though the other issues.

Mayor Stuart Crosby says the club's redevelopment is urgent as the Papamoa population is currently about 22,000 people and expected to grow to 40,000 – 50,000.

The expanded and modern facility will also give the club the opportunity to become known as the 'centre for excellence for surf life saving in New Zealand”, says Stuart.

The Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club was formed in 1990 in response to the growing Papamoa community and the need for a permanent surf life saving service at the popular Papamoa Domain.

The clubhouse was built in 1988-89, extended in 2001, and continues as the base for the club's operation that covers the 14.5kilometre stretch of coast from Frasers Papamoa to Marjorie Lane at the end of Papamoa East.

The building is now in a state of disrepair and unsuitable. The toilet and shower facilities are dysfunctional and unusable, the patrol tower structure is decaying, there are weather leaks and the storage is inadequate - requiring three containers, and some gear stored by Omanu Surf Life Saving Club.

From its construction the Papamoa Surf Club building has also been a community facility and home to the local Lions Club, Scouts, Girl Guides, Cubs and Brownies.

Those relationships are expected to continue in the new building, and in summer provide a summer base for St John Ambulance service.

In addition to badly needed storage, the new building will contain a watch control room, a St John paramedic centre, changing rooms, toilets, showers, a gym/training area, and multipurpose meeting and congregation areas for club members, community groups and other users, and a kitchen and bar area.