Croyde Surf Life Saving Club opens brand-new clubhouse

Local charity Croyde Surf Life Saving Club (CSLSC), which provides surf lifesaving training to 200+ members from 6 years old to adults of all ages, is celebrating the opening of its brand-new clubhouse, funded by local organisations and businesses including Parkdean Resorts.

Built on land leased from the National Trust, the new 9-by-19-metre building on Croyde Beach is more than double the size of the CSLSC’s previous space, allowing the charity to upscale its indoor activities and store all of its kit in one place.

To celebrate the new clubhouse the charity held an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, with attendees including both past and present members of CSLSC, along with representatives from fundraising partners. Parkdean Resorts, owner of Ruda Holiday Park in Croyde, contributed £10,000 towards the new clubhouse as part of a match-funding agreement with Croyde Area Residents Association (CARA) last year.

This year Parkdean Resorts has committed to funding a further £30,000 worth of community projects in Croyde. The company recently helped to fund a minibus for local environmental charity Plastic Free North Devon, granting over 2,500 people access to free community events throughout the year.

Ben Byrom, Chair of Croyde Surf Life Saving Club, said: “Croyde Surf Life Saving Club has been a major social hub in the community for the past 60 years. We’ve always been searching for a permanent home that meets our needs, having previously moved between a concrete garage and temporary sheds, so we’re delighted to finally enter a new era as we open our brand-new clubhouse.

“Over the years we’ve trained thousands of lifesavers both young and old to be safe on one of the UK’s wildest, most challenging beaches. It’s fantastic to be able to provide better facilities for both current and future generations of members, and we are extremely grateful to Parkdean Resorts and the other organisations whose generous support made this possible.”

Claire Ward, Assistant General Manager at Ruda Holiday Park,said: “It’s fantastic to see Croyde Surf Life Saving Club open its new clubhouse. We have worked with Ben and his team for years, so we know how important this project was for them and the local community.

“It’s been a pleasure to be part of this journey and help fund the club’s new home. By funding local projects, we aim to create a positive impact on both the environment and the lives of the people in the local area. We look forward to continuing to work with CSLSC, who share our passion for working to maintain Croyde Beach’s status as a fun, clean and safe holiday destination.”

At the start of 2022, Parkdean Resorts launched 25 commitments which it will achieve by 2025, across Environment, Social and Governance. These include attracting and developing diverse talent, reducing CO2 by 25%, a 75% reduction in waste to landfill, and the publication of an annual report detailing how it will care for its parks, people and planet.