For anyone under the age of 85, the Suttons Beach Pavilion has always been a feature of the Redcliffe waterfront.
But after years of neglect and exposure to the elements, the landmark of the bay could disappear.
The historic building is facing demolition, with concerns about its structural integrity.
The historic building faces demolition. (Provided by Moreton Bay Regional Council)
On Wednesday, the Moreton Bay Regional Council will vote to award a tender for “invasive testing” to determine how much, if any, of the pavilion can be preserved.
The City Council will then decide whether to restore the existing structure or demolish it and rebuild it.
Residents gathered at a rally on Sunday. (ABC News: Alex Lewis)
Residents gathered Sunday at Suttons Beach, fastening tapes to fences around the now-closed pavilion.
What started as a Facebook group has become a legal entity, the Save Suttons Beach Pavilion Preservation Group, with its own logo and merchandise.
Residents say the pavilion is the last piece in the area’s history. (Provided by Moreton Bay Regional Council)
“It’s literally the last piece of history here at Redcliffe,” Jodie Starr, chair of the Save Suttons Beach Pavilion Preservation Group, told reporters.
“So when that happened, I said,‘ No way, I’m not going to see another piece of our history torn down, ’” Starr said.
Jodie Starr, chair of the Save Suttons Beach Pavilion Preservation Group. (ABC News: Alex Lewis)
Built in 1937, the Suttons Beach Pavilion has had many lives, hosting dances during World War II and later the Miss Australia Carnival.
Originally made up of a kiosk, showers and changing rooms, the building eventually became a museum and, more recently, a restaurant.
Suttons Beach Kiosk and Pavilion in 1930. (Supplied by Moreton Bay Regional Council)
But after several renovations and extensions, little remains of the 1937 plot of the building.
The current “art deco” look of the building is the product of a facelift in the early 2000s, according to a report in the town hall.
Sams on Suttons Restaurant in 2002. (Supplied by: Moreton Bay Regional Council)
He claimed that the works altered the building “extensively, unpleasantly and irreversibly”.
“It’s like gypsum and cheese,” Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said, admitting the council had to “take some responsibility” for the dilapidated condition of the building.
He said the commercial tenants did not do the maintenance they were supposed to do under the leases.
“The council didn’t skip them and forced them to do so,” Cr Flannery said.
The pink lines indicate the surviving elements of the 1937 canvas. (Supplied by: Moreton Bay Regional Council)
Cracked and sunken: the building suffers from elements
The building has a problem with the water from the cliffs running through the walls and towards the slab of the older pavilion.
Cracked and crumbling concrete has been observed in parts of the building.
Sungirls event at the Sutton Pavilion in 1958. (Supplied.)
However, an engineering report to the council in 2020 concluded that the structure posed “no immediate risk of failure”.
The report recommended further testing of the concrete slab to assess its future life expectancy before the council commits to major redevelopment.
The struggle to save the pavilion has attracted support from the town hall, with Sixth Division councilor Karl Winchester addressing residents.
“Residents rightly see it as a line in the sand for our community,” he said.
Councilor Karl Winchester said residents saw it as a line in the sand for the community. (ABC News: Alex Lewis)
Winchester is asking for money from next month’s council budget for restoration or reconstruction.
“It won’t necessarily be all the work required here, but we need to have a clear funding commitment in our budget document,” he said.
“Taxpayers expect us to do the right thing in this building.”
Kuttons and bathing pavilion at Suttons Beach in 1937 in Redcliffe, North Brisbane. (Provided by Moreton Bay Regional Council)
The mayor did not figure out the potential cost of the restoration, but said it could probably be rebuilt in the tens of millions.
Newly elected local MP Luke Howarth of the LNP had secured a $ 5 million commitment from the previous federal government.
Although federal Labor did not commit, Howarth said he would continue to push for Commonwealth funding.
“It should be a bipartisan issue,” Howarth said.
“Without state or federal funding, [the restoration or rebuild] it would take much longer to do so. “
Howarth also called on the state government to increase funding.
Redcliffe member Yvette D’Ath could not be reached for comment today, but previously said it was a board issue.
“Everything can be repaired”
Heritage architect Andrew Ladlay wants to see the building preserved in some way.
“Everything can be repaired,” he told ABC.
“It’s expanded quite a bit to make it difficult to recognize the original building. But originality isn’t always important when it comes to cultural significance.”
Architect Andrew Ladlay wanted to see the preserved building. (ABC News: Alex Lewis)
There has now been a proposal for the next Redcliffe Peninsula Surf Lifesaving Club to be moved to the pavilion.
The council has signed a non-binding statement of intent with the club, exploring its potential to manage the building.
“As a non-profit community organization, the Club sees significant potential benefits for its members and for the community at large,” the statement said.
But not everyone is on board.
Local June McCrorie said she wanted the charm of the old English-style bathing pavilion to be maintained.
“We have lovely surf clubs, but we don’t want another one with pokies,” he said.
Sunday’s speeches ended with a poem written by longtime local Rupert McCall.
“When the walls of history crack, once you catch the soul, you never get it back.
“Sacrificing a monument always leaves a scar, because every time we lose one, we lose part of who we are.”
Posted 7 hours 7 hours ago dig. May 29, 2022 at 4:53 am, updated 7 hours ago dig. May 29, 2022 at 5:06 p.m.