November 4 grand opening for $8 million Midway Surf Rescue Community Hub

The Midway Surf Rescue Community Hub on the city beachfront is nearing completion and the $8 million complex has come in on budget as preparations are made for an official opening in November.

The complex will house Dawson Building Midway Surf Life Saving Club and other community facilities.

It includes a state-of-the-art lifeguarding tower with 180-degree sea views, new offices for coaching and administration staff, a members lounge, and a venue space for the community to hold workshops, conferences and events, as well as a restaurant and kiosk.

In September 2020, Infrastructure Reference Group (IRG) ministers approved $5 million from the Covid-19 Response and Recovery Fund for the Hub’s trust to undertake the project.

“We are thrilled to be on the final stage of the build. Dawson Building and their team of sub-contractors have done an incredible job,” said the trust’s project manager and spokesperson Anna Roberts.

“The Midway Surf Rescue Community Trust has worked extremely hard over the past four years to get the development to this point.

“It has been made possible by our partnership with the Government through Kānoa, the Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and grants from Lotteries Communities Facilities, Eastland and Central Community Trust, plus the club’s own fundraising, which has complemented the Government’s contributions.

“We are also grateful for the generosity of many businesses and families who have supported us throughout the project,” Ms Roberts said.

“What’s also exciting are the restaurant and ground-floor kiosk, which will be open to the public as part of the design.

“We’ve landscaped into the complex fabulous areas for the community to sit and enjoy our amazing beach and iconic views while eating out.

“The trust is excited with what we are about to deliver to the Tairāwhiti region.

“It’s going to be a fabulous summer down at Midway for everyone to enjoy.”

The operators of the restaurant (Tahu) and kiosk (The Kiosk) — Jared Johnstone and partner Rhiannon — say the amount of support and interest the soon-to-be opened eateries have received has been humbling.

“I think our plans to ensure both operations establish a ‘shop window’ to our region’s abundance while bringing benefit to the wider community has really resonated with the people of Tairāwhiti,” Mr Johnstone said.

​Tahu, located on the first level of the surf club, will have a strong focus on local provenance and endemic ingredients wherever possible.

The Kiosk, on the ground floor, will provide convenient and nutritious grab-and-go offerings.

Tahu will be taking reservations from September 18 and plenty of interest has already been shown.

“Jared has big plans to ensure a vibrant and engaging place where people can meet, chat and share food and experiences,” Ms Roberts said. “He is also committed to creating career pathways for local people looking to make their way in hospitality.”

First to open will be The Kiosk in mid-October, with Tahu to follow soon after.

“Our values are firmly focused on manaakitanga (caring for others) and whakawhanaungatanga (relationship building), and with that will come so much more,” Mr Johnstone said. “We are very excited to share our vision with the people of Tūranga and manuhiri from abroad.”

Midway SLSC chairman Dave Corrin said having spent the last two-and-a-half years working out of shipping containers, Midway’s club members were getting excited about moving into the new building and using the many things it will offer.

“Features like wrap-around views in the lifeguarding tower for our lifeguards to keep our swimming public safe to the new state-of-the-art gear shed with specially designed shelving for equipment and also proper clubrooms, which we really haven’t had for a number of years.

“There are too many to name, but I thank the Midway Surf Rescue Community Trust, Dawson Building and everyone who has been involved in turning what was a club dream into reality.”

The complex will also be home to Gisborne Boardriders Club (GBC), which has been operating from a shipping container located on Midway beachfront.

“Gisborne Boardriders Club is super-excited to share the stoke with people from across Tairāwhiti through the new Midway Hub facility,” GBC surfing development manager Flo Bub said.

“The club, its committee and members are very grateful for the hard work and dedication the Midway Surf Rescue Community Trust and everyone involved have put in to make this vision a reality.

“We are looking forward to many good years ahead sharing and connecting through water sports we all love so much.”

A dawn site blessing, led by hapū Ngai Tawhiri, will take place on Monday, October 9.

The official grand opening is on Saturday, November 4, which coincides with Midway’s nippers’ opening weekend.