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Health

Whyalla Surf Life Saving Club to get $2.3 million upgrade to improve accessibility

Whyalla Surf Life Saving Club's Rachel Barlow says the upgrades will make the club more disability friendly.  (ABC News: Lucas Forbes)

The state government is contributing more than $2 million to replace Whyalla's ageing surf life saving club building and help make the club more inclusive of people who have a disability. 

Whyalla Surf Life Saving Club's Rachel Barlow said the upgrades would mean the club could provide a better surf life saving service, and would also become more accessible to the club's members with a disability. 

"We have a lot of members who can't access the top room at all which is our main club room due to their disability and the stairs in their way," she said. 

Ms Barlow, who became involved with the club because of her son, who has a disability, and her involvement with a beach wheelchair program, said she was happy the club would be more accessible. 

"We just want our club to be for everyone and we want the whole beach to be for everyone," she said.

Jacob Barlow, 11, Isabella Barlow, 9, and Sammy Ramsay, 9, play in the sand in front the Whyalla Surf Life Saving Club. (ABC News: Lucas Forbes)

Council seeking more funding

The state government will provide $2.3 million to design and construct an entirely new building, with more funding coming from the Whyalla Surf Life Saving Club and the Whyalla City Council. 

However, Whyalla Mayor Clare McLoughlin said that was not enough, and the council would be seeking another $3.5 million in government funding.

"As well as a cafe or kiosk, we may also look to incorporate a restaurant with a bar, and possibly other community spaces such as function and community meeting rooms," Ms McLaughlin said.

Whyalla Surf Lifesaving Club president Annette Zubrinich shows Katherine Wade, 2, and Emily Wade, 6, some of the club's equipment. (ABC News: Lucas Forbes)

To celebrate 90 years of the ABC connecting communities, we've partnered with Volunteering Australia to encourage Australians to come together and make a pledge: 90 minutes of kindness in your community. Make the pledge and share your #ABC90for90 with your friends, family and colleagues. 

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