The impact of the swells and high tide can be seen at the Mercury Bay Boating Club. Photo: Thames Coromandel District Council
The historic Mercury Bay Boating Club in Whitianga needs to be picked up and moved almost immediately, to protect it from erosion.
Cyclone Hale brought fierce tides to Coromandel that quickly scoured away three metres of the bank that supports the boathouse.
The club's commodore Jonathan Kline said the efforts of a team of local volunteers yesterday ensured the building would survive.
However, the impact of the storm meant a more permanent solution was needed as soon as possible.
While the seas were much calmer today there was no lessening in the sense of urgency the club was feeling, he told Morning Report.
"Over the course of two or three high tide cycles we had devastating effects. We lost not only three to four metres of bank in front of the club but we also lost the time that we had set aside to make a staged effort to pick up our building and move it back."
Photo: Mercury Bay Boating Club, Coromandel
A process that could have spanned a year to 18 months must now take place almost immediately.
Kline said after the worst of the high tides on Tuesday night he felt "crushed".
The club had successfully built up its junior and adult sailing programmes in the last five years.
"We've been successful ... we were on such a great trajectory but all the time we knew the sea was chewing away.
"When I went back to the club on Wednesday morning it was utter devastation there and I knew at that point we had to do something because the building was going to fall into the sea."
The clubhouse which is on a council reserve was designed to be moveable in the case of erosion.
In the late 90s when it was erected there was around 16 metres of land in front of it.
"I don't think anyone could have imagined then we would lose so much ground over a relatively short time."
He had been buoyed by the amazing response from the community who had brought everything from spades to machinery to help save the building.
Kline said the clubhouse may have to be moved twice - first out of harm's way and then to a final location once consents have been approved.
The club was working closely with the Thames-Coromandel District Council and Waikato Regional Council.
"We're trying to understand with our council and surveyors as to whether we can move the building in one go or do we have to move it in two goes where we get it out of harm's way first and then finish the consent before the building site can be accessed," Kline said.
A Givealittle crowdfunding campaign has been started for cyclone relief for the Mercury Bay Boating Club, with a goal of raising $200,000.
