THE renovated North Beach Bathers Pavilion will reopen with a big community celebration today (Sunday September 30).

The day will mark the completion of an extensive restoration project to the historic building and its surrounds.

Celebrations will include heritage tours, a march past by members of Illawarra Surf Life Saving and a longboard competition.

The building will be officially reopened at 11am by Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery.

“I’m very pleased and relieved that we’re able to return this building and its surrounds to the people of Wollongong and I think everyone will agree it has been worth the wait,” Cr Bradbery said.

“This beautiful building is back and looking every bit the landmark it is. I’d encourage everyone to come along and have a look at this essential piece of our city’s history. From the brickwork, to the new toilet and showers, and the lovely wide pedestrian promenade in front and behind the building – there is so much to be proud of.’’

The North Beach Bathers Pavilion was closed in March 2011 for an extensive refurbishment. The 1938 building’s brickwork was cleaned, repaired and re-pointed, and new public amenities and a café have been installed.

Outside, as part of the Blue Mile project, extensive work has been done to the building’s surrounds. There’s also a new pedestrian promenade, the seawall has been replaced and new retaining walls have been built.

“I’m so proud of the work Council put in to restore this building to the community. It hasn’t been an easy path with bad weather plaguing the project earlier this year, but it has come together in the end.

“It’s now time for the people of Wollongong, and visitors to the area, to come and rediscover this grand building of North Beach.’’

This project is supported by funding from the Australian Government, under the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program and the NSW Government.

Community Celebration:  North Beach Bathers Pavilion

7.30am: Layback Longboarders competition and display;

10.15am: North Beach Heritage Tour, 96.5 WAVE FM Sand Modelling Competition;

10.30am: City of Wollongong City Brass Band;
10.50am: Illawarra Surf Life Saving March Past;

11am: Official Proceedings;

11.30am: Community Barbecue, Glamma Rays;

11.45am: North Beach Heritage Tour, Arcadian Minstrels;

12noon: Bathing Belles;

12.30pm: North Beach Heritage Tour, Glamma Rays;

1pm: Announcement of Sand Modelling and Longboard winners, Arcadian Minstrels;

1.15pm: North Beach Heritage Tour.
Activities – 10.30am to 2pm:

• Wollongong Camera Club display
• Vintage and Hot Rod car display
• Treasure Hunt
• Beach Volleyball come ‘n’ try and demonstrations
• Australian Beach Soccer come ‘n’ try and demonstrations
• Hopscotch
• Free face painting
• Circus WOW stilt walkers