EDITOR – It has been observed that Winklespruit Lifesaving Club has turned its facility into what seems like a nightclub for reasons as follows.
On a regular basis over weekends, there are functions being held at the club which result in extremely loud music, drunkenness, fighting, breaking of bottles and so on, until all hours.
The noise from the music can be heard as far as two roads away from the club premises.
The parties don’t end there, as when the people eventually do leave, they carry on around the area – shouting, screaming and revving cars.
This club has no regard whatsoever for the people living in the area, let alone the old age home which is around the corner. This is totally unacceptable in a residential area as this is not what a lifesaving club should be and sheds a very bad light on the club itself.
While we understand that fundraising needs to be done, this should not be at the cost of residents in the area.
I understand that the facility is hired out to anybody and everybody that wants to have a full-out party, with very little or no supervision or restrictions, resulting in total chaos.
This letter will be forwarded as a written complaint to Ethekweni Municipality.
FED UP WITH THIS NOISE
Club keen to meet to resolve issues
EDITOR – We thank the Sun for the opportunity to add comment to the submitted letter.
As president of the club, this has been escalated to me for comment.
We do take note of the complaint as raised and offer the following. Winklespruit Surf Lifesaving Club is a voluntary public service organisation that receives little or no funding from formal structures and has to rely on internal fundraising activities to sustain the lifeguard service that it has provided to the community since 1927.
The club has a liquor licence that provides for a level of income to be derived from the sale of refreshments to members and their friends or guests. This facility is in no way open to the public for general use and is not a commercial venture.
When the club hosts formal events that involve the public, the Ethekwini events authorisation procedures are followed. The club has operated this facility, often after hours, for many years and has enjoyed the support of the neighbouring residents who have also in turn participated and contributed to the success of many functions and activities.
The club does allow members to make use of the facility for private parties and functions. There are always members present during these functions. These members know and understand the sensitivity of the situation with regards to neighbours’ requirements.
While every effort is made to curtail sound and noise levels after 10pm in the evening, the club has little control over the behaviour of people on the street outside the facility, let alone how people drive when they leave the car park. We are aware of a recent function that ran into ’overtime’ and this has been addressed with the members concerned.
Residents also need to be aware that not all the traffic on Seafront Drive is related to the club. The road (like so many in our area) is used as a drag strip by street racers at night and we have no control of this at all.
It is unfortunate that the resident has taken the route of submitting a letter of complaint through the medium of your publication without direct consultation with club officials. We do have formal channels that can take control of situations such as this. We would appreciate a meeting to be called by interested stakeholders that will be addressed by the club executive to reach a level of understanding that benefits all parties, moving forward.
NEVILLE HAZELL
President: Winklespruit Surf Lifesaving Club
