Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club's $7M redevelopment complete - but facilities can't be used

Skis and boards are stored outside behind temporary fencing while attractive new indoor spaces are closed off.

However, club officials are staying positive, with the situation expected to be resolved by the end of April and plans for an official opening by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

After a building process which began three years ago, the new-look club was about to reopen for the 2020-21 season when it was discovered the water supply to new fire hydrants was insufficient, preventing an occupancy certificate being issued.

Sydney Water required a new connection to be run to a water main in Surf Lane.

This was a further setback in the project, which was initially expected to be completed by the end of 2019.

The discovery of concrete cancer and the onset of COVID-19 were other hurdles.

Club president Chris Giles said digging for the new connection would start soon.

"It has been a challenging time, but our members are resilient," he said.

"This is the third year we have not had the building, but they get on with the business, patrols still hit the beach, Nippers are run each week and we still compete in surf carnivals."

Mr Giles said the setbacks had added to the cost of the project, but the club's finances were sound. He said a further loan of $300,000, which was taken out late last year to complete the project, was a precautionary measure.

Sutherland Shire Council agreed to act as guarantor after doing the same for two earlier loans, one of which has since been repaid.

A report by council staff said, although there was a risk associated with entering into the new agreement, the mitigation measures the council would require the club to put in place would ensure the risk was minimised.

Formed in 1907, Cronulla is one of the longest serving surf life saving clubs in Australia and the longest serving community organisation in Sutherland Shire.