It’s been a long time coming, 14 years to be exact, but last month, the Sydney North Planning Panel gave the tick of approval to refurbish Freshwater Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC). It comes as the club is preparing to celebrate its 116th year and is expected to cost the club $10 million and will include a Museum of Surf, improved member facilities, better storage facilities in the basement and a 163-seat restaurant. “It’s a refurbishment of the existing premises, without increasing the footprint, to bring it up to speed and, more importantly, secure it for the next 20 years for the increasing membership,” Michael Bate, President of Freshwater SLSC, told Manly Observer. While Mr Bate is happy with the outcome, not everyone in the community...